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

Select clematis and rose cultivars in complementary colors if the varieties bloom at the same time or choose plants with different flowering times to extend the bloom season. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026

The pyramid shape structures can support plants like climbing roses and clematis—and give you something to look at when flowers aren’t blooming. —Teresa Woodard, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2026

February into early March is the ideal window for pruning roses and flowering vines like summer-blooming clematis, Dutchman's Pipe, and native honeysuckle. —Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 15 Jan. 2026

For the last two weeks, monarch butterflies have been mating while flying around my clematis vine. —Joan Morris, Mercury News, 15 Dec. 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