monstera: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Specialised / Gardening / Everyday (as a specific houseplant term)
Quick answer
What does “monstera” mean?
A tropical climbing plant (genus Monstera) of the arum family, native to Central and South America, characterized by large, glossy, deeply lobed or perforated leaves.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tropical climbing plant (genus Monstera) of the arum family, native to Central and South America, characterized by large, glossy, deeply lobed or perforated leaves.
A popular houseplant, often called the Swiss cheese plant, prized for its distinctive foliage and architectural qualities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. 'Monstera' is the standard term in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally associated with houseplant trends, interior design, and tropical aesthetics in both cultures.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in plant-related and interior design contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “monstera” in a Sentence
grow a monsterawater the monsterathe monstera's leavesa monstera plantVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in retail (plant shops, home decor) and marketing for lifestyle products.
Academic
Used in botany, horticulture, and plant biology texts.
Everyday
Common in conversations about houseplants, home decor, and gardening.
Technical
Refers to the genus in botanical taxonomy; specific terms like 'fenestration' describe leaf holes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monstera”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monstera”
- Misspelling as 'monsterra' or 'monstoria'.
- Confusing it with similar-looking plants like the 'Rhaphidophora tetrasperma' (often called 'Mini Monstera').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered a relatively low-maintenance houseplant, preferring indirect light and moderate watering.
The nickname comes from the distinctive holes (fenestrations) in its leaves, which resemble the holes in Swiss cheese.
Yes, all parts of the monstera plant are toxic to cats, dogs, and humans if ingested due to calcium oxalate crystals.
In ideal indoor conditions, it can be a moderately fast grower, producing several new leaves during the spring and summer growing seasons.
A tropical climbing plant (genus Monstera) of the arum family, native to Central and South America, characterized by large, glossy, deeply lobed or perforated leaves.
Monstera is usually specialised / gardening / everyday (as a specific houseplant term) in register.
Monstera: in British English it is pronounced /mɒnˈstɪərə/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɑːnˈsterə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A MONSTER of a plant with huge, dramatic leaves full of holes – think MONSTERA.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A
Practice
Quiz
What is a primary characteristic of a monstera leaf?