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four-leaf clover

American  
[fawr-leef, fohr-] / ˈfɔrˌlif, ˈfoʊr- /

noun

four-leaf clovers plural
  1. a clover leaf having four leaflets instead of the usual three, purported to bring good luck.


four-leaf clover British  

noun

  1. a clover with four leaves rather than three, supposed to bring good luck

  2. another name for cloverleaf

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of four-leaf clover

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

After her father found a four-leaf clover, he taped it to a piece of paper and gave it to her.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 17, 2026

Taking to instagram on Thursday, Anderson posted a Dior label accompanied by a four-leaf clover to confirm the news.

From BBC Apr. 17, 2025

One ad for jewelry company Warren Mansfield included no fewer than five objects featuring swastikas, sometimes pairing the symbol with a four-leaf clover or teddy bear.

From Slate Jul. 15, 2023

They adorned the side with two dice and two cards, both adding up to a lucky 7, and a four-leaf clover.

From Seattle Times Jan. 31, 2022

But still, effort notwithstanding, Barack’s path to the Senate seemed paved in four-leaf clover.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

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