phlegm
11 synonyms for phlegm, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Thick mucus produced in the throat or airways, especially when coughed up during a cold or infection.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use phlegm
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
cough up phlegm
phlegm in the throat
The "calm composure" sense is old-fashioned and mostly survives in the related word "phlegmatic."
Etymology
From Old French fleume, ultimately from Greek phlegma ("inflammation" or "clammy bodily fluid"), from phlegein, "to burn." In ancient medicine phlegm was one of the four bodily humors, believed to make people calm or sluggish.
Full origin of phlegm →Frequently asked questions
What does “phlegm” mean?
The word “phlegm” means thick mucus produced in the throat or airways, especially when coughed up during a cold or infection. In plain terms, the gunky mucus you cough up when you're sick — or, less commonly, a person's unshakeable calm.
How do you pronounce “phlegm”?
“Phlegm” is pronounced flehm (/flɛm/ in IPA).
How do you use “phlegm” in a sentence?
Here is “phlegm” used in a sentence: “His cough was bringing up thick yellow phlegm.”
What part of speech is “phlegm”?
“Phlegm” is a noun.
Where does the word “phlegm” come from?
The word “phlegm” comes from Old French.
How many meanings does “phlegm” have?
“Phlegm” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: thick mucus produced in the throat or airways, especially when coughed up during a cold or infection.
