sweet william

noun

sweet wil·​liam ˌswēt-ˈwil-yəm How to pronounce sweet william (audio)
often capitalized W
: a widely cultivated Old World pink (Dianthus barbatus) with small white to deep red or purple flowers often showily spotted, banded, or mottled and borne in flat-topped cymes

Illustration of sweet william

Illustration of sweet william

Examples of sweet william in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Their farmhouse front was decorated with an eye-catching garland and wreath of peonies and sweet william by Shane Connolly. Emma Elwick-Bates, Vogue, 28 June 2022 Lined up in tubs were the dramatis personae: gerbera daisies, alstroemerias, leucadendrons, thistles, bear grass, sweet william. Michael Schulma, The New Yorker, 31 July 2021 In turn, Kate, who married Prince William in April 2011, carried a bouquet by florist Shane Connolly that was almost entirely lily of the valley, as well as myrtle, sweet William, hyacinth and ivy. Tamara Abraham, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 Oct. 2018 Designed by florist Shane Connolly, the bouquet was almost entirely lily of the valley, and also included myrtle as well as sweet William, hyacinth and ivy. Tamara Abraham, Harper's BAZAAR, 19 May 2018 Kate's bouquet honored royal tradition and her groom Kate's bouquet featured myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, hyacinth, and sweet William, a nod to the groom. Maggie Maloney, Town & Country, 15 May 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sweet william.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from the name William

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sweet william was in 1573

Dictionary Entries Near sweet william

Cite this Entry

“Sweet william.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweet%20william. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

sweet william

noun
sweet wil·​liam swēt-ˈwil-yəm How to pronounce sweet william (audio)
often capitalized W
: a widely grown Eurasian pink with small white to deep red or purple flowers that are often spotted or banded and grow in flat clusters on upright stems

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