cherry laurel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Technical, Horticultural
Quick answer
What does “cherry laurel” mean?
A dense, evergreen shrub or small tree (Prunus laurocerasus) with glossy, dark green leaves and small white flowers that produce cherry-like but poisonous fruits.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dense, evergreen shrub or small tree (Prunus laurocerasus) with glossy, dark green leaves and small white flowers that produce cherry-like but poisonous fruits.
Often used as a hedging plant in gardens and landscapes; its leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides, making them toxic if ingested.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both varieties. In the UK, it is a very common hedging plant. In the US, it is also known but may be regionally specified more often as 'English laurel' or 'common laurel', especially in horticultural contexts.
Connotations
In the UK, strongly associated with suburban gardens and formal hedges. In the US, may carry a slightly more 'ornamental' or 'non-native' connotation in certain regions.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English due to its prevalence in gardening. In US English, 'laurel' alone might more commonly refer to native species like mountain laurel (Kalmia) or cherry laurel might be specified by its full name or as 'English laurel'.
Grammar
How to Use “cherry laurel” in a Sentence
The garden was bordered by a [cherry laurel] hedge.They decided to [plant] cherry laurel for privacy.Be aware that the [leaves] of cherry laurel are poisonous.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cherry laurel” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The cherry laurel needs trimming twice a year to keep it neat.
- We planted a row of cherry laurel to screen the bins.
American English
- The cherry laurel by the driveway has grown quite large.
- Check if that hedge is cherry laurel or photinia.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in landscaping or nursery businesses.
Academic
Used in botany, horticulture, and toxicology contexts.
Everyday
Common in gardening discussions and when describing garden plants.
Technical
Used in botanical descriptions, horticultural guides, and warnings about plant toxicity.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cherry laurel”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cherry laurel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cherry laurel”
- Pronouncing 'laurel' as /laʊˈrɛl/.
- Confusing it with 'Bay laurel' (Laurus nobilis), which is culinary.
- Assuming the fruits are edible like cherries.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, all parts of the cherry laurel plant contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide when ingested. The leaves and seeds are particularly toxic.
Yes, it is one of the most common plants used for evergreen hedging in the UK and parts of Europe due to its dense, fast growth and tolerance of pruning.
Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is an evergreen shrub with toxic leaves, used for hedging. Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is a culinary herb whose leaves (bay leaves) are used for flavouring food. They are not related.
Under good conditions, cherry laurel can grow 30-60 cm (12-24 inches) per year, making it an effective plant for quickly establishing a privacy screen.
A dense, evergreen shrub or small tree (Prunus laurocerasus) with glossy, dark green leaves and small white flowers that produce cherry-like but poisonous fruits.
Cherry laurel is usually formal, technical, horticultural in register.
Cherry laurel: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃeri ˈlɒrəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃeri ˈlɔːrəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As common as a cherry laurel hedge (UK, informal: referring to something very typical in suburban gardens).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: It's a 'cherry' tree that pretends to be a 'laurel' (like the victor's wreath), but its leaves are dangerous.
Conceptual Metaphor
A GREEN WALL (for its common use as a dense, opaque hedge).
Practice
Quiz
What is a key characteristic of cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)?