mallow

noun

mal·​low ˈma-(ˌ)lō 

: any of a genus (Malva of the family Malvaceae, the mallow family) of herbs with palmately lobed or dissected leaves, usually showy flowers, and a disk-shaped fruit

Illustration of mallow

Examples of mallow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The voices are just a low hum, like the bees in false yucca or poppy mallow. — Karl Kirchwey, The New York Review of Books, 13 Nov. 2025

Prune Rose Mallow in Spring Rose mallow is an ultra-easy-care hibiscus. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2025

On the jar, the ingredient list reads honey roasted peanut butter spread, vanilla creme, honey glaze, cinnamon brown sugar, and mallow creme. — Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026

Visitors are spotting desert sand verbena, primroses, desert sunflowers, apricot mallow, and desert lilies at Anza-Borrego. — Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English malwe, from Old English mealwe, from Latin malva

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing mallow

• globe mallow
• marsh mallow
• rose mallow

Rhymes for mallow

• callow
• hallo
• hallow
• palo
• sallow
• shallow
• tallow
• caballo
• cavallo

Kids Definition

mallow

noun

mal·​low ˈmal-ō 

: any of a group of herbs with lobed leaves, usually showy flowers, and a disk-shaped fruit