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Definition of speedwell
speedwell
/ˈspiːd.wɛl/
speed · well
Plural:speedwells
speedwell Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
10
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
speedwell Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
Any of numerous creeping or herbaceous plants and low shrubs of the genus Veronica, native primarily to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and characterized by small, four-petaled blue, pink, or white flowers.
Example
"The gardener planted creeping blue speedwell along the stone path to provide a vibrant ground cover in the early summer."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for speedwell• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'spedewell' (literally 'prosper' or 'thrive', combining 'speed' and 'well'). It was likely given to the plant because of its historical use in herbal medicine to promote healing, or as a good-luck charm handed to travelers.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Speedwell. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/speedwell