cockscomb

noun

cocks·​comb ˈkäks-ˌkōm How to pronounce cockscomb (audio)
1
2
: a garden plant (Celosia cristata) of the amaranth family grown for its flowers

Examples of cockscomb in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Three particularly pretty varieties to keep in mind when you seed-source for spring are the flamboyant variegated cockscomb, Celosia ‘Orange Peach’, and Celosia ‘Flamingo Feather,’ which would all add incredible color and texture to both fresh and dried arrangements. Sunset Magazine, 27 Sep. 2023 Workers had set up tables outside the market so Garcia, his wife and others could wrap marigold and cockscomb bouquets in plastic. Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2022 Three flecks of garish pink punctuate a photo of a woman’s back: a bundle of cockscomb blooms, satin ribbons twisted into her braids, tassels that peek out from under her blouse. The New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2022 The yard also included hydrangea, mums, asters and unusual cluster plantings of cabbage, red cockscomb and red peppers. Susan Degrane, chicagotribune.com, 16 Sep. 2020 At home, Dawn maintained stunning collections of bachelor buttons, lilies, cockscomb, chrysanthemums, and different shrubs for greenery. Akeem Glaspie, Indianapolis Star, 29 May 2020 Bombay’ series cockscombs come in a variety of otherwordly color combinations. Heather Arndt Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 9 Aug. 2019 The quirky cockscomb matches the pattern and color of the table. Lindsey Taylor, WSJ, 19 Oct. 2017 This is the street pimp’s cockscomb, the big bad dude Capone hat. Gail Sheehy, Daily Intelligencer, 9 Sep. 2017

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

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cockscomb was circa 1529

Dictionary Entries Near cockscomb

Cite this Entry

“Cockscomb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cockscomb. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!