coleus

noun

co·​le·​us ˈkō-lē-əs How to pronounce coleus (audio)
: any of a large genus (Coleus) of Old World herbs of the mint family including ones cultivated for their colorful foliage

Examples of coleus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some popular choices include ornamental grasses, salvias, angelonias, and coleus. Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2025 Answer: While many colorful plants are available for summer, two that seem to survive the best and into fall are pentas and coleus. Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025 In the Garden There are endless possibilities for breeding coleus plants with wildly creative leaf colors and shapes. Margaret Roach, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025 But the work of smaller, independent breeders like Mr. Baker is important creatively in the market, and to the evolving looks of coleus. Margaret Roach, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for coleus

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Greek koleos, koleon sheath

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of coleus was in 1885

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coleus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coleus. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

coleus

noun
co·​le·​us ˈkō-lē-əs How to pronounce coleus (audio)
: any of a large genus of herbs related to the mints and often grown for their leaves of various colors

More from Merriam-Webster on coleus

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!