clover

noun

clo·​ver ˈklō-vər 

1

: any of a genus (Trifolium) of low leguminous herbs having trifoliolate leaves and flowers in dense heads and including many that are valuable for forage and attractive to bees

2

: any of various related plants (as of the genera Melilotus, Lespedeza, or Medicago) of the legume family

see also:

in clover

Examples of clover in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Low-growing leguminous plants like clovers are commonly used as a living mulch beneath taller crops, but garden beans are also known to benefit their neighbors. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026

Many gardeners struggle to keep clover out of garden beds, but like beans and peas, clover can improve gardens by fixing nitrogen in the soil. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Apr. 2026

The remote, open space is known for sightings of yellow native daisies, California goldfields, and pink-purple owl's clovers. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2026

The blossoms tend to be less conspicuous and less abundant than those of other clovers, but some homeowners may think the blossoms look too much like weeds. —Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English clāfre; akin to Old High German klēo clover

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing clover

• alsike clover
• Alyce clover
• bush clover
• crimson clover
• Dutch clover
• Egyptian clover
• four-leaf clover
• in clover
• in the clover
• ladino clover
• red clover
• sweet clover
• white clover

Rhymes for clover

• drover
• over
• prover
• rover
• stover
• trover
• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover

Kids Definition

clover

noun

clo·​ver ˈklō-vər 

: any of a genus of herbs of the legume family that have leaves with three leaflets and flowers in dense heads and that include many plants valuable for forage and as a source of nectar for bees

also : any of various related plants