chlorosis

noun

chlo·​ro·​sis klə-ˈrō-səs 

1

: an iron-deficiency anemia especially of adolescent girls that may impart a greenish tint to the skin

called also greensickness

2

: a diseased condition in green plants marked by yellowing or blanching

chlorotic

klə-ˈrä-tik 

adjective

Examples of chlorosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Roses can suffer from chlorosis, a lack of chlorophyll production, caused by iron, nitrogen, and magnesium deficiencies or soil pH that is too high. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 May 2026

Iron deficiency or iron chlorosis is especially likely to occur if acid-loving plants are grown in overly alkaline soils. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026

Dwarf or compact myrtle varieties are susceptible to iron-deficiency chlorosis, which causes leaf yellowing. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 19 Dec. 2025

Tallow or beef fat is usually pale, off-white, sometimes yellow: complexion was a key sign of chlorosis, which was named with a Greek word meaning pale, pallid, or yellow-green. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 27 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

chlorosis

noun

chlo·​ro·​sis klə-ˈrō-səs 

plural chloroses -ˌsēz 

: an iron-deficiency anemia especially of adolescent girls that may impart a greenish tint to the skin

called also greensickness

chlorotic

-ˈrät-ik 

adjective