flower

noun flow·er \ ˈflau̇(-ə)r \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

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

—

flowered

play \ˈflau̇(-ə)rd\ adjective

—

flowerful

play \ˈflau̇(-ə)r-fəl\ adjective

—

flowerless

play \ˈflau̇(-ə)r-ləs\ adjective

—

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

Your flowers will be delivered by 9 p.m. local time that same day.

— jennifer earl, Fox News, "Mother's Day flower sites that offer same-day delivery," 11 May 2018
The writer and critic Leslie Camhi also prefers her flowers to stay attached to their stems.

— eve macsweeney, Vogue, "The Most Meaningful Mother’s Day Gifts: Cheap But Deep," 10 May 2018
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:Alzheimers Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871Memories of Marilyn Turner may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 5/10," 10 May 2018
On a recent Saturday morning, people walked and talked and picked their favorite flowers.

— cristela guerra, BostonGlobe.com, "Tens of thousands of tulips bloom in an unlikely corner of Rhode Island," 9 May 2018
In her obituary, the family asked for donations to St. John's in lieu of flowers.

— jane wester, charlotteobserver, "Funeral scheduled for UNC Charlotte student killed in party bus fall | Charlotte Observer," 7 May 2018
Flowers Harry and Meghan have chosen floral designer Philippa Craddock to create their church flowers.

— rachel epstein, Marie Claire, "How Much Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding Really Cost?," 4 May 2018
Starting every spring, Elaine could be found meticulously caring for her flowers and greeting neighbors on their family's porch, which was always open for conversation, cookies, and lemonade for anyone passing by.

— courant.com, "Elaine Wylie," 30 Apr. 2018
Mayorga remembers going to school and copying his flowers.

— kerry cardoza, Chicago Reader, "The American dream, in frosting: the art of Yvette Mayorga," 25 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

flower Synonyms

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

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

flower

verb

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

—

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

Didier met with neighborhood residents to create her design, which consists of a 12-foot-tall set of half-dome shells of steel mesh, flowering vines, and living willow trees over a sculptured stone fountain.

— phil diehl, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Pine Park prepares to unveil $11 million upgrade," 12 May 2018
Heirloom vegetable plants, flowering baskets, and other items will be for sale, while garden sculptures and displays will be available for enthusiasts to admire.

— Philly.com, "South Street Spring Festival, Fishtown Flea, Sly Fox Bock Fest and Goat Race, and other fun happenings, May 4-11," 2 May 2018
Different ratios encourage different aspects of a plant’s growth, like flowering or making seeds.

— umair irfan, Vox, "It’s not your imagination. Allergy season gets worse every year.," 28 Apr. 2018
The mansion was built for Ralph Warren Hoyt, a civic leader best known as the namesake for the park's Hoyt Arboretum, which showcases native conifers and flowering trees on land once eyed for development.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "Hoyt Arboretum namesake's 1904 Craftsman mansion is for sale at $2.6 million (photos)," 17 Apr. 2018
Tree mallow, one of the few flowering shrubs, adds color and a layer of mystery.

— emily young, latimes.com, "A Pasadena garden mixes fresh and modern design with a rustic style," 13 Apr. 2018
Keep plants consistently moist, especially when flowering, as this is when tubers form.

— arricca sansone, Country Living, "How to Grow Potatoes," 17 Apr. 2018
This looks like red-flowering current (Ribes sanguineum).

— OregonLive.com, "How to get rid of lawn-invading bluegrass: Ask the experts," 14 Apr. 2018
Here was another of those places where the grass and flowering weeds massing along the edges had begun to creep onto the pavement itself.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "As Innocuous as Plant No. 1," 10 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of flower

see ¹flower

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

flower Synonyms

Synonyms

bloom, blossom, blow, effloresce, unfold;

Near Antonyms

dry up, fade, shrivel, wilt, wither;

die, drop, expire, perish;

Related Words

leaf, leave;

bud;

open;

FLOWER Defined for English Language Learners

flower

noun

: 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

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

FLOWER Defined for Kids

flower

noun flow·er \ ˈflau̇-ər \

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

—

flowered

\-ərd\ adjective

—

flowerless

\-ər-ləs\ adjective

flower

verb

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up flower? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

flower

flowered

flowerful

flowerless

flowerlike

Examples of flower in a Sentence

Recent Examples of flower from the Web

Illustration of flower

Origin and Etymology of flower

flower Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

flower

flowerer

Examples of flower in a Sentence

Recent Examples of flower from the Web

Origin and Etymology of flower

flower Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to FLOWER

Related Phrases

FLOWER Defined for English Language Learners

flower

flower

FLOWER Defined for Kids

flower

flowered

flowerless

flower

Learn More about flower

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

8 Insults Made Up of a Noun and a Verb

'Judicial' v. 'Judicious': We'll Settle The Case

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word