Illustration of phlox
plural phlox or phloxes
: any of a genus (Phlox of the family Polemoniaceae, the phlox family) of American annual or perennial herbs that have usually pink, purplish, white, or variegated flowers, a salverform corolla with the stamens on its tube, and a 3-valved capsular fruit
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Picks like the creeping phlox or creepy jenny are even sturdy enough to walk on.
—
Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 23 Mar. 2023
Creeping phlox does best if planted after the last frost in your area, but is quick to provide late-spring blooms when grown in full sun. 6.
—Jeanne Ambrose, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2023
This moon name comes from the pink wildflowers that bloom in early spring, like the wild ground phlox, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
—Lydia Wang, Women's Health, 7 Feb. 2023
Other good plants include Jacob’s ladder, wild strawberry, wild geranium, chokecherry, prairie phlox, golden Alexander, New Jersey tea, cherry trees, dogwoods, blueberry, elderberry, willow and hackberry trees.
—Jennifer Rude Klett, Journal Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2023
Flowers to start from seed: Dahlia, schizanthus, nigella, phlox, portulaca, nemesia, marigold and nasturtiums.
—Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 20 Apr. 2023
Worm Moon This moon comes at beginning of the spring thaw, when earthworms reappear and robins soon after them. April 6, 2023 (12:34 AM) Pink Moon Named not for the color of this moon, but for the hue of wild ground phlox, one of the first plants to bloom come spring.
—Jill Gleeson, Country Living, 19 Apr. 2023
Specifically, head to Marble Falls, Burnet, Lampasas, San Saba, Mason, Llano, Fredericksburg, and Johnson City to spot the flowers alongside Indian paintbrush blooms, pink evening primroses, daisies, winecups, prairie verbena, and goldeneye phlox.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2022
When the New York City Parks Department plants bright-orange butterfly milkweed, soft-purple mountain phlox, or lush royal ferns, there’s a good chance that these and other native plants were started from wild seeds gathered by Patrick Over, one of the city’s two official seed collectors.
—Caroline Spivack, Curbed, 22 July 2021
See More
Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 23 Mar. 2023
Creeping phlox does best if planted after the last frost in your area, but is quick to provide late-spring blooms when grown in full sun. 6.
—Jeanne Ambrose, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2023
This moon name comes from the pink wildflowers that bloom in early spring, like the wild ground phlox, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
—Lydia Wang, Women's Health, 7 Feb. 2023
Other good plants include Jacob’s ladder, wild strawberry, wild geranium, chokecherry, prairie phlox, golden Alexander, New Jersey tea, cherry trees, dogwoods, blueberry, elderberry, willow and hackberry trees.
—Jennifer Rude Klett, Journal Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2023
Flowers to start from seed: Dahlia, schizanthus, nigella, phlox, portulaca, nemesia, marigold and nasturtiums.
—Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 20 Apr. 2023
Worm Moon This moon comes at beginning of the spring thaw, when earthworms reappear and robins soon after them. April 6, 2023 (12:34 AM) Pink Moon Named not for the color of this moon, but for the hue of wild ground phlox, one of the first plants to bloom come spring.
—Jill Gleeson, Country Living, 19 Apr. 2023
Specifically, head to Marble Falls, Burnet, Lampasas, San Saba, Mason, Llano, Fredericksburg, and Johnson City to spot the flowers alongside Indian paintbrush blooms, pink evening primroses, daisies, winecups, prairie verbena, and goldeneye phlox.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2022
When the New York City Parks Department plants bright-orange butterfly milkweed, soft-purple mountain phlox, or lush royal ferns, there’s a good chance that these and other native plants were started from wild seeds gathered by Patrick Over, one of the city’s two official seed collectors.
—Caroline Spivack, Curbed, 22 July 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phlox.' 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
New Latin, from Latin, a flower, from Greek, flame, wallflower
First Known Use
circa 1706, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near phlox
Cite this Entry
“Phlox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phlox. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
phlox
noun
plural phlox or phloxes
: any of a genus of American herbs widely grown for their showy clusters of usually white, pink, or purplish flowers
More from Merriam-Webster on phlox
Nglish: Translation of phlox for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about phlox
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
-
Palter, Dissemble, and Other Words for Lying
Trust us
-
Skunk, Bayou, and Other Words with Native American Origins
You've used more than you might think
-
Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. 2
When 'thingamajig' and 'thingamabob' just won't do
-
When Were Words First Used?
Look up any year to find out
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share