green around the gills

phrase

: pale or sickly in appearance

Examples of green around the gills in a Sentence

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Zombie white dwarfs go green The researchers found that some dead star white dwarfs can go a little green around the gills after snacking on orbiting planets. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of green around the gills was in 1883

Rhymes for green around the gills

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Browse Nearby Words

green apple aphid
green around the gills
green arrow arum
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Cite this Entry

“Green around the gills.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/green%20around%20the%20gills. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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