phlox

noun

ˈfläks 

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

Illustration of phlox

Examples of phlox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Garden Phlox Low-maintenance garden phlox is available in a wide range of colors, including shades of purple, pink, and white. — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 22 July 2026

One that seems to grow along dry roadsides — and in fields — is annual phlox with blooms of many colors. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026

Creeping phlox provides a burst of color in spring with purple, pink, or white flowers. — Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 13 July 2026

Coneflowers, alliums, and phlox are all popular seasonal exclamation points in naturalistic gardens, but the best choice for your garden are flowers that thrive naturally in your climate. — Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin Phlox, a genus name, going back to Latin phlog-, phlox "a flame-colored flower," borrowed from Greek phlóx, genitive phlogós "flame, flash (of lightning), blaze, radiance, inflammation, a flame-colored flower," o-grade derivative from the stem of phlégein "to burn up, blaze, gleam" — more at phlegm

Note: The genus name Phlox was introduced by linnaeus (Species plantarum, 1753), who adapted it in Hortus Cliffortianus (Amsterdam, 1737, p. 63) from Theophrastus's name for a plant, identified as the wallflower (Erysimum cheiri) by Liddell and Scott's dictionary and Arthur Hort's translation of Historia plantarum (Theophrastus: Enquiry into Plants, vol. 2 [London/New York, 1916], p. 44).

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for phlox

• balks
• blocks
• blocs
• box
• chalks
• chocks
• clocks
• cocks
• cox
• crocks
• docks
• docs

Kids Definition

phlox

noun

ˈfläks 

plural phlox or phloxes

: any of a genus of American herbs widely grown for their showy clusters of usually white, pink, or purplish flowers