aloe vera

noun

-ˈver-ə  -ˈvir- 

: an aloe (Aloe barbadensis synonym A. vera) whose leaves furnish a gelatinous emollient extract used especially in cosmetics and skin creams

also : such an extract or a preparation composed primarily of such an extract

Examples of aloe vera in a Sentence

a skin cream that contains aloe vera

Recent Examples on the Web

Strong smell, according to some reviewers The cheekily named The One For Your Hands is packed with all the soft-skin essentials your hands could ask for, including hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, vitamin B5, and aloe vera. —Amy Wilkinson, SELF, 20 June 2024

Don't forget about the aloe vera for the inevitable summer sunburn. —Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 14 June 2024

This could include ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera, vitamin E, or rose water. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 14 June 2024

The gel from the aloe vera plant can provide instant relief from mosquito bites by cooling the skin and reducing swelling. —Debbie Wolfe, Popular Science, 27 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, species name, from Aloe + Latin vera, feminine of verus true — more at very entry 2

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

aloe vera

noun

-ˈver-ə  -ˈvir- 

: an aloe plant whose leaves contain a jellylike substance that is soothing to the skin

also : such a substance or a preparation consisting mostly of such a substance

Medical Definition

aloe vera

noun

-ˈver-ə  -ˈvir- 

1

: a plant of the genus Aloe (A. barbadensis synonym A. vera) whose leaves furnish a gelatinous emollient extract used especially in cosmetics and skin creams

2

: an extract of the aloe vera plant

also : a preparation composed predominantly of such an extract