phlegm

American  

[flem] / flɛm /

noun

1. the thick mucus secreted in the respiratory passages and discharged through the mouth, especially that occurring in the lungs and throat passages, as during a cold.

2. one of the four elemental bodily humors of medieval physiology, regarded as causing sluggishness or apathy.

3. sluggishness, indifference, or apathy.

   Synonyms:

   impassiveness

   Antonyms:

   concern, animation

4. self-possession, calmness, or composure.

---

phlegm British  

/ 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

---

phlegm Scientific  

/ flĕm /

1. Thick mucus produced by the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, as during a cold or other respiratory infection.

---

Other Word Forms

• phlegmless
  adjective
• phlegmy
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of phlegm

1350–1400; Middle English fleem < Middle French flemme < Late Latin phlegma < Greek phlégma flame, phlegmatic humor, equivalent to phlég ( ein ) to burn + -ma resultative noun suffix

Explanation

Phlegm is a thick secretion of mucous. It's hard to sleep when you have a bad cold and your throat is full of phlegm. Your body's respiratory system creates phlegm, pronounced "flem," which becomes thicker and more annoying when you're ill. The thick substance you cough up when you have a terrible cold is phlegm. We don't talk about phlegm all that often these days, but it was very important in medieval science — it was thought that too much phlegm led to apathy and laziness, and it was a sign that the body was out of balance.

Example Sentences

Phlegm, blood and yellow bile were all thought to rule human bodies and behaviors, affecting everything from attitude to interests and fueling disease.

From Washington Post • Nov. 7, 2022

The winner of Week 1173, food puns: Phlegm in meringue pie: What you get when you’re nasty to your waitress.

From Washington Post • Dec. 8, 2016

Phlegm responded by adding a duo of Edward Gorey-esque characters beneath the wave.

From New York Times • Dec. 23, 2015

The graffiti crew MM13 was responsible for the red wave, adhered to the building over a previous work by Phlegm, a well-known artist from South Yorkshire.

From New York Times • Dec. 23, 2015

“I suppose you like the way Phlegm says ‘Arry,’ do you?” asked Ginny scornfully.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling