feverfew

noun

fe·​ver·​few ˈfē-vər-ˌfyü How to pronounce feverfew (audio)
: a perennial European composite (see composite entry 1 sense 1b) herb (Tanacetum parthenium synonym Chrysanthemum parthenium) that has small white daisylike flowers with yellow centers, is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental, has become naturalized through much of North America, and has been used in herbal medicine to treat a variety of conditions (such as fever, migraine headaches, and menstrual cramps)

Examples of feverfew 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.
This gentle gel formula, made with nourishing oat and calming feverfew, lifts away dirt and impurities without stripping your skin's natural moisture barrier. Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025 Made with prebiotic oat to soothe irritation and support the skin barrier, the gentle cream also has feverfew extract, which is packed with antioxidants that reduce redness and further calm irritation. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2025 The short list includes artichokes, feverfew, chamomile, celery, angelonia, and bee balm. Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 5 Jan. 2025 Anti-inflammatory skincare ingredients like feverfew, green tea extract, niacinamide and others can help to soothe red, inflamed skin. Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024 The salve is made with oats and feverfew, a plant packed with antioxidants, that reverses dullness, dryness, and redness. Nerisha Penrose, ELLE, 28 Aug. 2023 As for beneficial ingredients, prebiotic oat is a naturally soothing addition, calming redness and inflammation, and feverfew has also been shown to have antioxidant and protective effects on the skin3 when used in skincare. Sarah Bradley, Health, 8 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English feferfuge, from Late Latin febrifugia centaury — more at febrifuge

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of feverfew was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Feverfew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feverfew. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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