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Definition of fumitory
fumitory
/ˈfjuː.mɪˌtɔːr.i/
fu · mi · to · ry
Plural:fumitories
fumitory Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
12
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
fumitory Game Scores & Validity
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WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A delicate, sprawling herbaceous plant of the genus Fumaria (especially Fumaria officinalis), native primarily to Europe and Asia, characterized by finely divided greyish-green leaves and clusters of small, tubular pink or purplish flowers.
Example
"While walking along the edge of the cultivated field, the botanist pointed out the delicate pink blooms of common fumitory tangling among the taller crops."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for fumitoryWord Origin & Etymology
From Middle English fumeterre, borrowed from Old French fumeterre, which stems from the Medieval Latin phrase 'fumus terrae' (literally 'smoke of the earth'). The name is thought to reference the plant's delicate, greyish-green foliage, which can resemble a wisp of smoke rising from the soil.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Fumitory. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/fumitory