clover

noun

clo·​ver ˈklō-vər 

1

: any of a genus (Trifolium) of low leguminous herbs having trifoliolate leaves and flowers in dense heads and including many that are valuable for forage and attractive to bees

2

: any of various related plants (as of the genera Melilotus, Lespedeza, or Medicago) of the legume family

Phrases

in clover or less commonly in the clover

: in prosperity or in pleasant circumstances

Examples of clover in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Featuring four lakes, DuPont is home to a dizzying variety of plants and animals, including five types of clover, three orchid species and wildlife ranging from bobcats to black bears and snakes to salamanders. —Ruffin Prevost, New York Times, 21 May 2025

The abundant flowers of clover also attract a diversity of beneficial insects, including native bee species. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025

Instead of mechanical weed barriers, use low-growing annual companion plants, like sweet alyssum or clover. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 July 2025

Clover’s dainty white flowers also attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to their nectar and pollen, and different clover varieties attract different pollinator species. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 21 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English clāfre; akin to Old High German klēo clover

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing clover

• alsike clover
• Alyce clover
• bush clover
• crimson clover
• Dutch clover
• Egyptian clover
• four-leaf clover
• ladino clover
• red clover
• sweet clover
• white clover

Rhymes for clover

• drover
• over
• prover
• rover
• stover
• trover
• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover

Kids Definition

clover

noun

clo·​ver ˈklō-vər 

: any of a genus of herbs of the legume family that have leaves with three leaflets and flowers in dense heads and that include many plants valuable for forage and as a source of nectar for bees

also : any of various related plants