Phlegm: meaning, definitions and examples

😷

Add to dictionary

phlegm

[ flem ]

^{Context #1}

medical

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

Synonyms

mucus, sputum

Examples of usage

His cough was accompanied by yellow phlegm.
She had difficulty clearing the phlegm from her throat.

^{Context #2}

informal

A sluggish, calm temperament; not easily excited or angered.

Synonyms

calm, composed

Examples of usage

His phlegmatic personality made him a good mediator in conflicts.
She approached the situation with phlegm, staying composed under pressure.

Translations

Translations of the word "phlegm" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fleuma

🇮🇳 बलगम

🇩🇪 Schleim

🇮🇩 dahak

🇺🇦 слиз

🇵🇱 flegma

🇯🇵 痰 (たん)

🇫🇷 flegme

🇪🇸 flema

🇹🇷 balgam

🇰🇷 가래 (garae)

🇸🇦 بلغم

🇨🇿 hlen

🇸🇰 hlien

🇨🇳 痰 (tán)

🇸🇮 sluz

🇮🇸 hor

🇰🇿 қақырық

🇬🇪 ხველა

🇦🇿 bəlğəm

🇲🇽 flema

Word origin

The word 'phlegm' dates back to ancient Greek medicine, where it was believed to be one of the four bodily humors, along with blood, yellow bile, and black bile. Phlegm was associated with the element of water and the qualities of cold and moist. The concept of phlegm influencing a person's temperament also emerged during this time, with phlegmatic individuals thought to be calm and unemotional. Over the centuries, the understanding of phlegm has evolved to refer specifically to mucus in the respiratory system, as well as a temperament characterized by apathy and sluggishness.