foxglove

noun

fox·​glove ˈfäks-ˌgləv 

: any of a genus (Digitalis) of erect herbs of the snapdragon family

especially : a common European biennial or perennial (D. purpurea) cultivated for its showy racemes of dotted white or purple tubular flowers and as a source of digitalis

Examples of foxglove in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Shade-loving plants include anthurium, astilbe, begonia, bleeding heart, bromeliad, caladiums, coleus, cranesbill, ferns, foxglove, hellebore, hostas, impatiens, Lily of the Valley, Liriope, lobelia, lungwort, moneywort, periwinkle, spiderwort, trillium, and viola. —Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025

Tall flowers like hollyhocks, delphiniums, and foxgloves are at risk of toppling if grown in a windy site. —Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2025

Though technically a biennial, foxgloves reseed readily in the garden to provide a perennial supply of new plants and distinctive blooms. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 18 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foxglove

• above
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• of
• shove
• hereinabove

Kids Definition

foxglove

noun

fox·​glove ˈfäks-ˌgləv 

: any of a genus of upright herbs related to the snapdragons

especially : a tall herb with showy dotted white or purple tube-shaped flowers that is a source of digitalis

Medical Definition

foxglove

noun

fox·​glove ˈfäks-ˌgləv 

: any plant of the genus Digitalis

especially : a common European biennial or perennial (D. purpurea) cultivated for its showy racemes of dotted white or purple tubular flowers and as a source of digitalis