flower

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noun flow·er \ ˈflau̇(-ə)r \

Definition of flower

1 a :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 :²bloom 1b

lilacs in full flower

2 a :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

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flowered

play \ˈflau̇(-ə)rd\ adjective

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flowerful

play \ˈflau̇(-ə)r-fəl\ adjective

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flowerless

play \ˈflau̇(-ə)r-ləs\ adjective

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flowerlike

play \ˈflau̇(-ə)r-ˌlīk\ adjective

See flower defined for English-language learners

See flower defined for kids

Examples of flower in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of flower from the Web

Donations to the museum can be made in lieu of flowers.

— michael e. ruane, Washington Post, "Slave’s daughter who helped open the African American Museum dies at 100," 30 Aug. 2017
From the ceremonial tapping of the first keg at the festival’s opening until its end, the huge fairground outside Munich’s city center is a slap-happy world of sausages, fancy hats, and maidens with flowers in their hair.

— rick steves, The Seattle Times, "Rick Steves: How to become a Bavarian at Oktoberfest," 29 Aug. 2017
Violet Another flower name (and another Downton Abbey character), currently ranks at number 47 on the U.S. charts after years of decline from its turn-of-the-century popularity.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "12 Old-Fashioned Girl Names That Are Ready for a Comeback," 21 Aug. 2017
The Southern Bridal Show is back in town, focusing on gowns, cakes, invitations, music, flowers, caterers, tuxes, honeymoons and more.

— mary colurso | mcolurso@al.com, AL.com, "Things to do in Birmingham, Aug. 20-26," 20 Aug. 2017
In August and early September, the fine foliage is the perfect foil for small but numerous flowers of brilliant purple.

— paul cappiello, The Courier-Journal, "Ironweeds. How this old field weed turned into a garden gem," 18 Aug. 2017
Fairy gardens and mermaid gardens have taken over flower beds and front steps everywhere this past year.

— lauren smith, House Beautiful, "Halloween Fairy Gardens Will Be All the Rage This Fall," 8 Aug. 2017
Aside from the wow factor, Simons also intended this grandiose display as a bow to Christian Dior’s passion for gardens and flowers.

— bob colacello, vanityfair.com, "How Raf Simons Captured the Calvin Klein Empire," 31 July 2017
Around the star, there's le Fleur's signature flower in contrast white stitching, and a bee embroidered on the back.

— christine flammia, Esquire, "Tyler, the Creator Just Remade Your Favorite Converse," 27 July 2017

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.

Illustration of flower

Origin and Etymology of flower

Middle English flour flower, best of anything, flour, from Anglo-French flur, flour, flaur, from Latin flor-, flos — more at blow

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

flower Synonyms

Synonyms

bloom, blossom

Related Words

bud, floret, floweret (also flowerette); bouquet, nosegay, posy; arrangement, boutonniere, corsage, garland, lei, spray, wreath

Near Antonyms

decay, decline, downfall; bottom, nadir; shriveling (or shrivelling), wilting, withering

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

flower

verb

Definition of flower

intransitive verb

1 a :develop

flowered into young womanhood

b :flourish 2

2 :to produce flowers :blossom

transitive verb

1 :to cause to bear flowers

2 :to decorate with flowers or floral designs

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flowerer

play \ˈflau̇(-ə)r-ər\ noun

See flower defined for English-language learners

Examples of flower in a Sentence

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 of flower from the Web

The garden’s storybook terrain also includes a micromeadow, a flowering woodland and a small orchard, and the blooms along the path connecting them change from week to week.

— martha stewart, star-telegram, "Gardener learns to work with Mother Nature, instead of against her," 12 Aug. 2017
To get closer to blue, Noda and his colleagues then added a second gene, this one from the blue-flowering butterfly pea.

— elizabeth pennisi, Science | AAAS, "Scientists genetically engineer the world’s first blue chrysanthemum," 26 July 2017
In particular: flowering plants, fungi, and insects, so many damn insects.

— sarah zhang, The Atlantic, "Why Are There So Many More Species on Land When the Sea Is Bigger?," 12 July 2017
Kids like me will flower in an education system that promotes the arts.

— Teen Vogue, "DeRay Mckesson and Diane Guerrero Share What Public Education Means to Them," 10 July 2017
Only two plants in the world—the peanut and the ____________—produce their fruit underground after flowering out in the open.

— rosa inocencio smith, The Atlantic, "The Atlantic Daily: Presidential Legitimacy and Preexisting Conditions," 23 June 2017
Salmonberries, ranging from flowering to almost ripe, were everywhere, a draw for Rufous hummingbirds.

— christy karras, The Seattle Times, "Early-season hikes near Mount Baker? Try lovely Baker Lake," 21 June 2017
The second living room has French doors that open to an arbor covered patio with flowering plants and trees.

— star-telegram, star-telegram.com, "Williams Trew | Fort Worth," 11 June 2017
The flowering period for this species is spring to early summer, and at the Ruth Bancroft Garden our plants have generally begun flowering in early May and ended in June or July.

— brian kemble, The Mercury News, "Agave’s ferocious teeth don’t scare off gardeners," 8 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of flower

see ¹flower

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

flower Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

leaf, leave; bud; open

Near Antonyms

dry up, fade, shrivel, wilt, wither; die, drop, expire, perish

FLOWER Defined for English Language Learners

flower

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noun

Definition of flower for English Language Learners

: the part of a plant that is often brightly colored, that usually lasts a short time, and from which the seed or fruit develops
: a small plant that is grown for its beautiful flowers
: a cut stem of a plant with its flower

flower

verb

Definition of flower for English Language Learners

: to produce flowers
: to develop or grow in a successful way

FLOWER Defined for Kids

flower

play

noun flow·er \ ˈflau̇-ər \

Definition of flower for Students

1 :a plant part that produces seed

2 :a small plant grown chiefly for its showy flowers

3 :the state of bearing flowers

in full flower

4 :the best part or example

in the flower of youth

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flowered

\-ərd\ adjective

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flowerless

\-ər-ləs\ adjective

flower

verb

Definition of flower for Students

flowered; flowering

:²bloom 1

Learn More about flower

See words that rhyme with flower Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for flower Spanish Central: Translation of flower Nglish: Translation of flower for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of flower for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flower

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flower

Definition of flower

flowered

flowerful

flowerless

flowerlike

From the M-W Editors

Examples of flower in a Sentence

Recent Examples of flower from the Web

Illustration of flower

Origin and Etymology of flower

flower Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

flower

Definition of flower

flowerer

Examples of flower in a Sentence

Recent Examples of flower from the Web

Origin and Etymology of flower

flower Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Phrases Related to FLOWER

Related Phrases

FLOWER Defined for English Language Learners

flower

Definition of flower for English Language Learners

flower

Definition of flower for English Language Learners

FLOWER Defined for Kids

flower

Definition of flower for Students

flowered

flowerless

flower

Definition of flower for Students

Learn More about flower

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