clovers

IPA/klˈəʊvəz/
IPA/klˈoʊvɚz/

clovers — noun

1. low-growing plants with usually three small leaflets on each stalk, often seen i

1.nounB1
Definition

low-growing plants with usually three small leaflets on each stalk, often seen in grass or fields and sometimes grown as animal feed; a four-leaf clover is widely treated as a lucky sign.

Example

Jiwoo spotted clovers growing between the stepping stones in her yard.

pattern: clovers growing in [place]

Aarav scattered clover seeds so sheep would have fresh clovers by summer.

collocation: fresh clovers / animal feed

Common collocations
  • patch of clovers
  • field of clovers
  • four-leaf clovers
  • grow among the grass
  • animals feed on clovers
Synonyms
  • clover

    singular form; used for one plant or the plant type in general

  • shamrock

    usually refers to a clover-like sprig as an Irish symbol, not every patch of clovers

  • trefoil

    more formal or botanical; focuses on the three-part leaf shape

Grammar Patterns

clovers + grow/spread in [place]

find + clovers

field/patch of clovers

Usage Note

The plural clovers often refers to patches of these plants in grass or fields. When you mean the lucky type, English usually says four-leaf clover or four-leaf clovers.

Common Mistakes

We found a lucky clover with four leafs.
We found a lucky four-leaf clover.
English uses the fixed phrase 'four-leaf clover', and the plural of 'leaf' is 'leaves'.
The horse was eating clovers plant in the field.
The horse was eating clovers in the field.
Use clovers alone for many plants, or say 'a clover plant' for one.

Common collocations

Nouns

  • patch of clovers
  • field of clovers
  • clover seeds

Phrases

  • find four-leaf clovers
  • clovers spread after rain