chamomile

American  

[kam-uh-mahyl, -meel] / ˈkæm əˌmaɪl, -ˌmil /

Or camomile

noun

1. a composite plant, Chamaemelium nobile (orAnthemis nobilis ), native to the Old World, having strongly scented foliage and white ray flowers with yellow centers used medicinally and as a tea.

2. any of several allied plants of the genera Matricaria and Tripleurospermum.

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chamomile British  

/ ˈkæməˌmaɪl /

noun

1. a variant spelling of camomile

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Etymology

Origin of chamomile

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English camamyll, camomille, from Middle French, Old French camomille or Medieval Latin camomilla, for Latin chamaemēlon, from Greek chamaímēlon, equivalent to chamaí “on the ground” + mêlon “apple”; allegedly so called from the applelike odor of the flowers

Explanation

Chamomile is a plant with pretty little white flowers and a sweet smell. Dried chamomile is often used to make herbal tea. You might grow chamomile in your garden for its blossoms, which look like tiny daisies, or for its smell, which is a little bit like apples. Chamomile tea is well-known for helping you sleep well at night, and most people like the way it tastes, too. You can also spell it camomile, and its root goes back to the Greek word khamaimēlon, "earth apple," from khamai, "on the ground," and mēlon, "apple."

Example Sentences

The long-term sleep benefits of magnesium and melatonin have been scientifically proven, yet for ingredients like chamomile, any documented positive sleep impacts appear to be short-term, with placebo effects commonly occurring.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

For a bargain option, check out Trader Joe's Well Rested Herbal Tea, which touts chamomile, spearmint, peppermint, blackberry leaves, and rosebuds.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2025

What do you make of the story Rick’s friend shared over chamomile tea?

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2025

But do we ever outgrow the desire to be lulled, whether by soothing voice or chamomile tea or sleep gummy?

From New York Times • Apr. 20, 2024

“I recommend an infusion of mint leaves and chamomile to calm you.”

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein