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

Lately I’ve been cold-brewing a few favorites: Numi Organic’s Yuzu Bancha, Pukka Three Mint and a good chamomile.

From Salon • Mar. 9, 2026

Other options include Goodnite dark chocolate sleep bites, containing L-theanine and melatonin; Lagoon's Night Bites, which feature L-theanine and magnesium; and Good Day Chocolate's "Calm" range, infused with magnesium, L-theanine and chamomile.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

I’ll have chamomile lavender tea and they’ll usually have their dessert — they usually pick something out of the freezer.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2024

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

“My mom drinks green tea in the morning and chamomile tea at night. She also likes the occasional sweet tea. Dad doesn’t. He’s the only Southerner who hates it. Can you believe that?”

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas