spurge

noun

ˈspərj 

: any of a family (Euphorbiaceae) of widely distributed herbs, shrubs, and trees often with a bitter milky juice

especially : euphorbia

Examples of spurge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Just be sure to avoid planting the spurge-laurel variety, which is an invasive plant. —Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 6 June 2026

This graceful spurge can be planted in mixed containers or grown as a ground cover in full sun or light shade. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 May 2026

The window of my room looked out on a hillside thickly planted with heather, tulips, oxeye daisies, spurge, and rhododendron. —Amy Waldman, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026

This decorative spurge is mildly toxic so should not be eaten and it should be avoided by those with latex intolerance. —The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French espurge, spurge, from espurger to clean out, purge, from Latin expurgare — more at expurgate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing spurge

• Allegheny spurge
• Japanese spurge
• leafy spurge
• spurge laurel

Rhymes for spurge

• dirge
• merge
• purge
• scourge
• serge
• splurge
• sturge
• surge
• urge
• verge
• converge
• diverge

Medical Definition

spurge

noun

ˈspərj 

: any of various mostly shrubby plants (family Euphorbiaceae, the spurge family, and especially genus Euphorbia) that have a bitter milky juice and that include several which have been used medicinally see ipecac spurge