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
Examples of chlorosis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For example, chlorosis may occur on plants growing in neutral or alkaline soil.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 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
Due to the alkaline soil in Southern California, gardenias and other acid-loving plants such as azaleas, blueberry bushes, and coffee trees may exhibit a condition known as interveinal chlorosis; on older leaves, veins are green while spaces in between the veins are yellow.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 26 July 2025
For example, chlorosis, a yellowing between leaf veins, may indicate a need for more nitrogen, iron or manganese.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2025
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Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 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
Due to the alkaline soil in Southern California, gardenias and other acid-loving plants such as azaleas, blueberry bushes, and coffee trees may exhibit a condition known as interveinal chlorosis; on older leaves, veins are green while spaces in between the veins are yellow.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 26 July 2025
For example, chlorosis, a yellowing between leaf veins, may indicate a need for more nitrogen, iron or manganese.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chlorosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chlorosis. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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