What does speedwell mean?
Speedwell is a botanical name for a group of low-growing plants in the genus Veronica, part of the plantain family. The group includes common speedwell (Veronica officinalis), a perennial wildflower with small blue flowers, as well as several related species that spread across lawns, banks, gardens, and other disturbed ground. In current English, the word is most likely to appear in gardening, natural-history writing, or descriptions of traditional remedies rather than in ordinary conversation. Historically, speedwells were gathered for folk medicine, but that history should not be treated as proof that they are safe or effective treatments. The name has Middle English roots and combines older associations of speed or prosperity with well-being, although the exact historical reason it was given to the plant is less certain. Speedwell is useful to readers because it names a familiar group of delicate plants while preserving an older layer of English vocabulary associated with prosperity and flourishing. The noun is countable, with “speedwells” used for multiple plants or for several species collectively.
nounA common name for various low-growing plants in the genus Veronica, especially common speedwell (Veronica officinalis), a perennial wildflower with small blue flowers. Several related species were formerly gathered for use in folk medicine.
- Any of various plants in the genus Veronica, especially small-flowered species commonly found in meadows, gardens, and other disturbed ground.
"A patch of speedwell brightened the edge of the garden."
"A patch of speedwell brightened the edge of the garden."
"Botanists use speedwell as a broad common name for several closely related Veronica species."
The plural is used for multiple individual plants or for several species of speedwell collectively; it is less common than the singular.
"Several speedwells grew along the gravel path."
Speedwell sounds like an instruction to hurry, but it is the old name of a family of delicate blue-flowered ground-cover plants.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of speedwell
The English name dates from Middle English and is generally analyzed as a compound of a form of speed, used in the older sense of “success” or “prosperity,” with well. The plant name was established before modern botany extended the term across members of the genus Veronica. Its precise original association with the herb is historically uncertain.
How speedwell is actually used
The word is mainly encountered in botany, gardening, natural-history writing, and accounts of traditional herbal medicine rather than in everyday conversation. In literary descriptions, it may specifically evoke a small blue speedwell flower.
Easily confused with speedwell
Speedwell is a plant in the genus Veronica, whereas a speedway is a track used for racing or the sport of motorcycle racing.