ivy

Everyday

1. An evergreen climbing plant with dark shiny leaves that grows up walls and trees. tree →
2. (poison ivy, North America) A different plant whose leaves give an itchy rash. tree →
3. (Ivy League, USA) A group of old famous universities. tree →
4. (a name) Ivy is a girl's name. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons: ivy is a climber; its berries are food for birds in winter but poisonous to people. At Christmas, «The Holly and the Ivy» carol. In stories old houses are «covered in ivy». Phrases: «ivy-covered walls», «poison ivy», «Ivy League».

Examples

• Ivy climbed all over the old castle wall. tree →
• Birds eat ivy berries in winter. tree →
• Don't eat ivy berries; they are poisonous to people. tree →
• We sang «The Holly and the Ivy» at the Christmas concert. tree →
• In Canada we learn: leaves of three, let it be — that's poison ivy. tree →
• The Badger's house had an ivy-covered entrance. tree →
• My great-gran was called Ivy. tree →

Note

Poison ivy (North America) is not a true ivy. Ivy does not usually kill healthy trees, a common myth; it uses them for support. Plural «ivies» is rare (kinds of ivy).