heather

1 of 2

noun

heath·​er ˈhe-t͟hər How to pronounce heather (audio)
: heath sense 2a
especially : a common Eurasian heath (Calluna vulgaris) of northern and alpine regions that has small crowded sessile leaves and racemes of tiny usually purplish-pink flowers and is naturalized in the northeastern U.S.

heather

2 of 2

adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This option doesn’t come in a ton of colors, but the classic colors like heather gray and onyx black are versatile and very nice. Kaitlyn Mcinnis, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2023 Grass, heather, and other small plants are also good surfaces for dewbows. Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010 The first, a boxy heather gray mini dress paired with white mary janes and a gray handbag. Briannah Rivera, Seventeen, 2 Mar. 2023 When you first step foot on the Scottish moors and see the incredibly vast sweeps of the hills covered in heather and bracken, your first thought is to wonder from how far away the birds will be flying. Chris Dorsey, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2022 The result is limited biodiversity: The hillsides, efficiently cleared of young trees by hungry deer, are thickly coated with heather. Cathleen O'grady, The Atlantic, 20 May 2022 Tasting notes include ripe fruit and peat smoke on the palate followed by stone fruit, melon and charred heather. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 Feb. 2023 Gorse, heather, strawberry patch and menthol on the nose. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2023 They're made from a cotton-blend fabric with a fleece interior and come in many colors, with options ranging from classic black and heather gray to brights and pastels in shades of pink, blue, and green. Nicola Fumo, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2023
Adjective
The heather gray looks fresh and luxurious (and could almost pass for Eberjey). Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2023 The pillows and blankets, which range in price from $275–$345 to $595–$695, respectively, come in off-white, heather taupe, coastal, and charcoal. Madeleine Luckel, Vogue, 28 July 2017 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heather.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English (northern) hather

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1615, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heather was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near heather

Cite this Entry

“Heather.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heather. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

heather

noun
heath·​er
ˈhet͟h-ər
: heath sense 1
especially : a common evergreen heath of northern and alpine regions with very small stemless leaves and tiny usually purplish pink flowers
heathery
-(ə-)rē
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on heather

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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