flowering

1 of 2

adjective

flow·​er·​ing ˈflau̇(-ə)r-iŋ 

1

: producing or bearing flowers

a flowering cactus

a flowering branch

: capable of producing flowers

a collection of flowering plants

flowering trees

2

: covered with or full of flowers

a flowering meadow

flowering

2 of 2

noun

1

: the act or state of producing flowers : the period during which a plant produces flowers

the flowering of the iris

a plant that should be pruned only when flowering ends

Early flowering was followed by heat waves in July and August …

—James Suckling

2

: an unfolding or development

the gradual flowering of his talent

: a flourishing state or period of new development or growth

… when Christians, Muslims and Jews lived and worked together in peace and friendship, producing a rare flowering of art, science and commerce.

—Liesl Schillinger

… the theatre is a wonderful testimony to the city's artistic flowering in the era of art nouveau.

—Robert Fox

Examples of flowering in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

These non-flowering, rootless plants have stems and leaves and reproduce through spores. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026

To propagate begonias, take 3- to 4-inch cuttings from non-flowering begonia stems. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2025

Noun

Will cutting bouquets to bring indoors affect the flowering of the plants? —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026

Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and pumpkins need more frequent watering during flowering and while developing fruit. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing flowering

• flowering dogwood
• flowering plant

Rhymes for flowering

• cowering
• glowering
• powering
• scouring
• showering
• souring
• towering
• devouring
• empowering