loosestrife

noun

loose·​strife ˈlü(s)-ˌstrīf 

1

: any of a genus (Lysimachia) of plants of the primrose family with leafy stems and usually yellow or white flowers

2

: any of a genus (Lythrum, family Lythraceae, the loosestrife family) of herbs having entire leaves and including some with showy spikes of purple flowers

especially : purple loosestrife

Examples of loosestrife in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While there’s no denying that gooseneck loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides) is a charming plant with sweet white flowers that resemble a goose's neck, it's also widely recognized as a troublesome invasive. — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 7 June 2026

That was not the case in my pollinator garden, where the gooseneck loosestrife ran roughshod over a patch of hostas and had to be removed. — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Apr. 2025

So, before kudzu, loosestrife and spurge take over your blank patches, plant plants. — Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

intended as translation of Greek lysimacheios loosestrife (as if from lysis act of loosing + machesthai to fight) — more at lysis

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing loosestrife

• purple loosestrife

Rhymes for loosestrife

• afterlife
• pocketknife
• alewife
• birdlife
• folklife
• housewife
• jackknife
• midlife
• midwife
• nightlife
• penknife
• wildlife

Kids Definition

loosestrife

noun

loose·​strife ˈlü(s)-ˌstrīf 

1

: any of a genus of herbs that are related to the primroses and have leafy stems and yellow or white flowers

2

: any of a genus of herbs including some with showy spikes of purple flowers