foxglove

noun

fox·​glove ˈfäks-ˌgləv 

: any of a genus (Digitalis) of erect herbs of the snapdragon family

especially : a common European biennial or perennial (D. purpurea) cultivated for its showy racemes of dotted white or purple tubular flowers and as a source of digitalis

Examples of foxglove in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This refresh includes a cottage garden collection of flowers in purple, blue and white flowers, including blue delphinium and purple foxglove. —Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 8 May 2025

Like foxglove, hollyhocks typically grow as biennials, growing a rosette of foliage in their first season and producing flowers in their second year. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025

Contained within these borders are a luscious mix of lupines, roses, foxgloves, peonies and delphiniums. —Blue Carreon, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025

In the casual garden, roses contrast and pair wonderfully with the vertical showy spikes of foxgloves, penstemons, delphiniums, stock and snapdragons and the tiny, dainty flowers of alyssum, daisies and nemesia. —Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foxglove

• above
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• of
• shove
• hereinabove

Kids Definition

foxglove

noun

fox·​glove ˈfäks-ˌgləv 

: any of a genus of upright herbs related to the snapdragons

especially : a tall herb with showy dotted white or purple tube-shaped flowers that is a source of digitalis

Medical Definition

foxglove

noun

fox·​glove ˈfäks-ˌgləv 

: any plant of the genus Digitalis

especially : a common European biennial or perennial (D. purpurea) cultivated for its showy racemes of dotted white or purple tubular flowers and as a source of digitalis