chlorosis
noun
chlo·ro·sis
klə-ˈrō-səs 
1
: an iron-deficiency anemia especially of adolescent girls that may impart a greenish tint to the skin
called also greensickness
2
: a diseased condition in green plants marked by yellowing or blanching
Examples of chlorosis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Due to the alkaline soil in Southern California, gardenias and other acid-loving plants such as azaleas, blueberry bushes, and coffee trees may exhibit a condition known as interveinal chlorosis; on older leaves, veins are green while spaces in between the veins are yellow.
—
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 26 July 2025
For example, chlorosis, a yellowing between leaf veins, may indicate a need for more nitrogen, iron or manganese.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2025
Potassium deficiency causes yellowing and scorching along leaf edges, weak stems, and interveinal chlorosis, a yellowing between the leaf veins.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 July 2025
In neutral or alkaline soil, leaves will develop chlorosis, or yellowing from a lack of iron.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2025
Fertilizing too heavily can cause root damage leading to leaf chlorosis (yellowing) and death of the plant.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2025
Common Problems Attention to soil health also prevents a common problem among camellias: chlorosis.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2024
The difference is that the chlorosis starts from the tip and progresses along the ribs of the leaf if nitrogen is deficient, but the chlorosis starts from the tip and progresses along the edge of the leaf if potassium is deficient.
—Dr. Haiying Tao, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2024
Symptoms caused by nutrient deficiencies are generally grouped into five categories: 1) stunted growth; 2) chlorosis or yellowing; 3) leaf spots; 4) purplish-red coloring; and 5) necrosis or death of plant parts.
—Dr. Haiying Tao, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2024
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Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 26 July 2025
For example, chlorosis, a yellowing between leaf veins, may indicate a need for more nitrogen, iron or manganese.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2025
Potassium deficiency causes yellowing and scorching along leaf edges, weak stems, and interveinal chlorosis, a yellowing between the leaf veins.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 July 2025
In neutral or alkaline soil, leaves will develop chlorosis, or yellowing from a lack of iron.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2025
Fertilizing too heavily can cause root damage leading to leaf chlorosis (yellowing) and death of the plant.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2025
Common Problems Attention to soil health also prevents a common problem among camellias: chlorosis.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2024
The difference is that the chlorosis starts from the tip and progresses along the ribs of the leaf if nitrogen is deficient, but the chlorosis starts from the tip and progresses along the edge of the leaf if potassium is deficient.
—Dr. Haiying Tao, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2024
Symptoms caused by nutrient deficiencies are generally grouped into five categories: 1) stunted growth; 2) chlorosis or yellowing; 3) leaf spots; 4) purplish-red coloring; and 5) necrosis or death of plant parts.
—Dr. Haiying Tao, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Chlorosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chlorosis. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
chlorosis
noun
chlo·ro·sis
klə-ˈrō-səs
plural chloroses
-ˌsēz
: an iron-deficiency anemia especially of adolescent girls that may impart a greenish tint to the skin
called also greensickness
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