phlox

noun

ˈfläks How to pronounce phlox (audio)
plural phlox or phloxes
: any of a genus (Phlox of the family Polemoniaceae, the phlox family) of American annual or perennial herbs that have usually pink, purplish, white, or variegated flowers, a salverform corolla with the stamens on its tube, and a 3-valved capsular fruit

Illustration of phlox

Illustration of phlox

Examples of phlox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Groundcovers like creeping wild strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) and spreading phlox (Phlox subulata) can also help cover bare areas, reducing runoff while supporting local wildlife. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024 Hall, also a wedding florist, noted there are other plants growing in the same area, including other dahlias, cosmos, zinnias, and phlox. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 3 Oct. 2024 Many gardeners find these phlox indispensable for August into September color in the perennial garden. —Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2024 Annual and perennial phlox comprised about 70 different species, many of which are native to North America. —Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for phlox 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin Phlox, a genus name, going back to Latin phlog-, phlox "a flame-colored flower," borrowed from Greek phlóx, genitive phlogós "flame, flash (of lightning), blaze, radiance, inflammation, a flame-colored flower," o-grade derivative from the stem of phlégein "to burn up, blaze, gleam" — more at phlegm

Note: The genus name Phlox was introduced by linnaeus (Species plantarum, 1753), who adapted it in Hortus Cliffortianus (Amsterdam, 1737, p. 63) from Theophrastus's name for a plant, identified as the wallflower (Erysimum cheiri) by Liddell and Scott's dictionary and Arthur Hort's translation of Historia plantarum (Theophrastus: Enquiry into Plants, vol. 2 [London/New York, 1916], p. 44).

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phlox was circa 1706

Dictionary Entries Near phlox

phlorizinize

phlox

phlox family

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Phlox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phlox. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

phlox

noun
ˈfläks How to pronounce phlox (audio)
plural phlox or phloxes
: any of a genus of American herbs widely grown for their showy clusters of usually white, pink, or purplish flowers

More from Merriam-Webster on phlox

Nglish: Translation of phlox for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about phlox

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Is That Gratitude or Attitude? A Thanksgiving Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...