Phlegm is the thick yellowish substance that develops in your throat and at the back of your nose when you have a cold.
More Synonyms of phlegm
phlegm in British English
(flɛm)
noun
1.
the viscid mucus secreted by the walls of the respiratory tract
2. archaic
one of the four bodily humours
3.
apathy; stolidity; indifference
4.
self-possession; imperturbability; coolness
Derived forms
phlegmy (ˈphlegmy)
adjective
Word origin
C14: from Old French fleume, from Late Latin phlegma, from Greek: inflammation, from phlegein to burn
phlegm in American English
(flɛm)
noun
1.
the thick, stringy mucus secreted by the mucous glands of the respiratory tract and discharged from the throat, as during a cold
2. Obsolete
that one of the four humors of the body which was believed in medieval times to cause sluggishness or dullness
3.
a.
sluggishness or apathy
b.
calmness or composure
Derived forms
phlegmy (ˈphlegmy)
adjectiveWord forms: ˈphlegmier or ˈphlegmiest
Word origin
ME fleume < MFr < LL phlegma, clammy humor of the body < Gr, inflammation, hence, humors caused by inflammation< phlegein, to burn: for IE base see black
Examples of 'phlegm' in a sentence
phlegm
Brian's chest was fastened by a band of iron, a cough bringing a mouthful of salty phlegm from the depths.
Sillitoe, Alan THE OPEN DOOR (2003)
The medicine reduced the inflammation of the bronchial tubes and the result was phlegm.
Anita Anderson SUMMER OF SECRETS (2003)
Look who's got the advice now,' he said, stopping on the stairs, the air roaring over the webs of phlegm in his lungs.
Robert Wilson A DARKENING STAIN (2003)
Tucker cleared his throat loudly, bringing up a mouthful of phlegm.
Gregg Andrew Hurwitz MINUTES TO BURN (2003)
Word lists with
phlegm
humour
Chinese translation of 'phlegm'
phlegm
(flɛm)
n(u)
痰 (tán)
Nearby words of
phlegm
philosophical
philosophy
phishing
phlegm
phobia
phone
phone back
1 (noun)
Definition
the thick yellowish substance secreted by the walls of the respiratory tract
Symptoms include vomiting and excess phlegm.
Synonyms
mucus
catarrh
sputum
mucous secretion
2 (noun)
Definition
calmness
They're taking it with the apathetic calm which many mistake for British phlegm.
Synonyms
self-control
I began to wish I'd shown more self-control.
composure
Stopping briefly to regain her composure, she described her ordeal.
coolness
They praised him for his coolness under pressure.
cool (informal)
She kept her cool and managed to get herself out of the situation.
calm
coldness
calmness
She faced her ordeal with admirable calmness.
equanimity
He faced his defeat with equanimity.
self-assurance
self-possession
She found her customary self-possession had deserted her.
sangfroid
frostiness
level-headedness
unflappability (informal)
stolidness
Additional synonyms
in the sense of calmness
She faced her ordeal with admirable calmness.
Synonyms
coolness,
cool (slang),
composure,
poise,
equanimity,
sang-froid,
self-possession,
dispassion,
impassivity,
imperturbability
in the sense of composure
Definition
the state of being calm or unworried
Stopping briefly to regain her composure, she described her ordeal.
Synonyms
calmness,
calm,
poise,
self-possession,
cool (slang),
ease,
dignity,
serenity,
tranquillity,
coolness,
aplomb,
equanimity,
self-assurance,
sang-froid,
placidity,
imperturbability,
collectedness,
sedateness
in the sense of cool
Definition
calmness
She kept her cool and managed to get herself out of the situation.
Synonyms
calmness,
control,
temper,
composure,
self-control,
poise,
self-discipline,
self-possession,
QL
Nearby words of
phlegm
philosopher
philosophical
philosophy
phlegm
phlegmatic
phobia
phone
Synonyms of 'phlegm'
phlegm
Explore 'phlegm' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of coolness
They praised him for his coolness under pressure.
Synonyms
calmness,
control,
composure,
self-control,
self-discipline,
self-possession,
placidity,
level-headedness,
imperturbability,
collectedness,
sedateness,
placidness,
composedness,
dispassionateness
in the sense of equanimity
Definition
calmness of mind or temper
He faced his defeat with equanimity.
Synonyms
composure,
peace,
calm,
poise,
serenity,
tranquillity,
coolness,
aplomb,
calmness,
phlegm,
steadiness,
presence of mind,
sang-froid,
self-possession,
placidity,
level-headedness,
imperturbability
in the sense of self-possession
She found her customary self-possession had deserted her.