clematis

noun

cle·​ma·​tis ˈkle-mə-təs  kli-ˈma-təs 

-ˈmā-,

-ˈmä-

: any of a genus (Clematis) of vines or herbs of the buttercup family often having three leaflets on each leaf and usually white, red, pink, or purple flowers

Examples of clematis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Wisteria climbs by sending out tendrils — slender curling stems — that curl around a support, the way a clematis vine does. —Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025

Go for colorful, cascading flowers like wisteria or clematis. —Eleni N. Gage, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2025

Late-blooming clematis stems can be cut down to 24 to 36 inches above the soil line in late winter. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 3 May 2025

Each spring, mulch around the base of the clematis. —Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, genus name, going back to Latin clēmatid-, clēmatis "any of several vines, as clematis and convolvulus," borrowed from Greek klēmatid-, klēmatís "vine branch used as firewood, (in plural) brushwood, flowering vine (as convolvulus and clematis)," from klēmat-, klêma "cut vine branch, branch on a growing plant, (in plural) shoots" (from klē-, probably variant stem of kláō, klân "to break off, break in two or in pieces" + -mat-, -ma, resultative noun suffix) + -id-, -is, diminutive suffix — more at clastic

Note: The genus was introduced by linnaeus in Species Plantarum (1753), vol. 1, p. 543.

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for clematis

• fremitus
• oedematous

Kids Definition

clematis

noun

clem·​a·​tis

ˈklem-ət-əs,

kli-ˈmat-əs

: a vine or herb related to the buttercups that has leaves with three leaflets and is widely grown for its showy usually white, red, pink, or purple flowers