flower

noun

flow·er | \ ˈflau̇(-ə)r

Definition of flower

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : the specialized part of an angiospermous plant that occurs singly or in clusters, possesses whorls of often colorful petals or sepals, and bears the reproductive structures (such as stamens or pistils) involved in the development of seeds and fruit : blossom

b : a cluster of small flowers growing closely together that resembles and is often viewed as a single flower : inflorescence a hydrangea flower

c : a plant grown or valued for its flowers planted flowers in the front yard

d : a cut stem of a plant with its flower a bouquet of flowers

e : bloom entry 2 sense 1b lilacs in full flower

2a : the best part or example the flower of our youth

b : the finest most vigorous period wasted the flower of their lives

c : a state of blooming or flourishing in full flower

3 flowers plural : a finely divided powder produced especially by condensation or sublimation flowers of sulfur

flower

verb

flowered; flowering; flowers

Definition of flower (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : develop flowered into young womanhood

b : flourish sense 2

2 : to produce flowers : blossom

transitive verb

1 : to cause to bear flowers

2 : to decorate with flowers or floral designs

Other Words from flower Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about flower

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Other Words from flower

Noun

flowered \ ˈflau̇(-ə)rd

\ adjective

flowerful \ ˈflau̇(-ə)r-fəl

\ adjective

flowerless \ ˈflau̇(-ə)r-ləs

\ adjective

flowerlike \ ˈflau̇(-ə)r-ˌlīk

\ adjective

Verb

flowerer \ ˈflau̇(-ə)r-ər

\ noun

Synonyms for flower

Synonyms: Noun

bloom, blossom

Synonyms: Verb

bloom, blossom, blow, burgeon (also bourgeon), effloresce, unfold

Examples of flower in a Sentence

Noun

We planted flowers in the garden. He sent her a bouquet of flowers. He wore a single flower in his lapel.

Verb

This tree flowers in early spring. The plant will flower every other year. His genius flowered at the university. a political movement that began to flower during the 1960s

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In her lighthearted watercolor, gouache and ink drawings, a menagerie of foxes, hedgehogs, turkeys and other woodland creatures share the canvas with smatterings of flowers and leaves. — Washington Post, "RIGHT AT HOME: The look of hand-drawn art is hot in decor," 18 Sep. 2019 According to CBS News, Dulce Maria Alavez was wearing brown pants with flowers and butterflies, a pink-colored shirt with long sleeves and white dress shoes. — Steve Helling, PEOPLE.com, "Authorities Searching for New Jersey 5-Year-Old Who Vanished From Playground," 17 Sep. 2019 These times are before growth begins and then at the end of the warm season after the palms flower and older leaves decline. — Tom Maccubbin, orlandosentinel.com, "Fungus causes leaf drop in crape myrtles," 14 Sep. 2019 Others leave flowers and votive candles at a colorful, makeshift altar. — Kori Rumore, chicagotribune.com, "Nine times people in Chicago saw the Virgin Mary: 'A sort of tangible, visible encounter with the divine'," 12 Sep. 2019 In Colombia Venezuelans ease labour shortages in the flower and coffee industries. — The Economist, "Millions of refugees from Venezuela are straining neighbours’ hospitality," 12 Sep. 2019 In her spare time, Ceres enjoyed tending to the flower and vegetable gardens around her home and cooking traditional West Indian dishes for her family and friends. — courant.com, "Ceres Millicent Surgeon," 10 Sep. 2019 Relatives and friends of Casiano-Ventura attended a prayer last week, where her portrait was surrounded by flowers and candles. — Pete Grieve, SFChronicle.com, "Oakland woman killed by stray bullet was a street vendor remembered for her tamales," 10 Sep. 2019 One of the exits of the subway station has even been turned into a memorial wall with flowers and messages of support. — Ben Westcott, CNN, "Hong Kong protesters threaten new airport disruptions after street clashes with police," 7 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Within a couple of years, the flowering vacant lots around us were fenced off and slated for development. — Giulia Pines, Curbed, "The dark side of living in a unique historic home," 1 Aug. 2019 The flowering evergreens that can tower to 85 feet comprise 80 percent of the state’s canopy, covering 1 million acres, and its nectar sustains birds and insects found nowhere else on Earth. — NBC News, "Sacred Hawaiian tree species threatened by deadly fungus; tourists can help save it," 30 June 2019 The dogwood responds by flowering profusely (spreading even more seeds) and by putting out new shoots from the roots, from the lower trunk and from the canopy. — Bonnie Blodgett, Twin Cities, "I let my plants tell me where they want to live," 29 June 2019 Without lions, grasses won’t flower, migrations won’t be compelled to happen, and herds, more stationary, will pick up parasites. — Klara Glowczewska, Town & Country, "How the New Lion King Film Could Help the Real-Life Lion Crisis," 1 Aug. 2019 And many that might not have done so well under past conditions are flowering better this year. — Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, "Do these two things to make your Alaska garden look amazing right now," 25 July 2019 For example, Granny Smith apple trees are flowering approximately four days earlier for each 1°C increase in temperature in Poland. — Jennifer Fitchett, Quartz Africa, "These scientists tracked South Africa’s sardine run over 66 years," 4 Aug. 2019 All of these crops will flower faster in warm weather. — Pam Peirce, SFChronicle.com, "It’s time for midsummer harvesting: Use it or lose it," 2 Aug. 2019 Country music may have flowered in the U.S., but its roots–including fiddle tunes and ballads from the British Isles, many of them songs about lost loves and premature death–lie on the other side of an ocean. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, "Country Music Crosses the Pond in Wild Rose," 20 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flower.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.