rosette

noun

ro·​sette rō-ˈzet 

1

: an ornament usually made of material gathered or pleated so as to resemble a rose and worn as a badge of office, as evidence of having won a decoration (such as the Medal of Honor), or as trimming

2

: a disk of foliage or a floral design usually in relief used as a decorative motif

3

: a structure or color marking on an animal suggestive of a rosette

especially : one of the groups of spots on a leopard

4

: a cluster of leaves in crowded circles or spirals arising basally from a crown (as in the dandelion) or apically from an axis with greatly shortened internodes (as in many tropical palms)

5

: a food decoration or garnish in the shape of a rose

icing rosettes

carrot rosettes

Illustration of rosette

• rosette 2

Examples of rosette in a Sentence

a rosette of chocolate frosting

Rosettes are carved in the base of the statue.

Recent Examples on the Web

Weeds don’t stand a chance beneath the dense rosettes of velvety silver-gray foliage characteristic of lamb’s ear. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 June 2025

Meanwhile, mono-material decorations, like the floral rosettes used throughout Aknvas’ S/S ’25 denim collection, align with the circular economy. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 19 May 2025

The strapless dress featured a pink sash tied around her waist that fell to the hemline with an oversize rosette. —Rachel Flynn, People.com, 9 June 2025

Foxglove is a biennial plant, growing a rosette of leaves in the first growing season and flowering in their second year. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 18 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, going back to Old French rosete, rosette "small rose, object shaped like a rose," from rose rose entry 2 + -ete, -ette -ette

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rosette

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• brevet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Kids Definition

rosette

noun

ro·​sette rō-ˈzet 

1

: a badge or ornament of ribbon gathered in the shape of a rose

2

: a design of leaves or flowers used as a decoration

3

: a circular cluster of leaves developed on a plant (as at the base of a dandelion)

Medical Definition

rosette

noun

ro·​sette rō-ˈzet 

: a rose-shaped cluster of cells