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

Shepherd’s purse produces distinctive rosettes of deeply toothed foliage that are best removed in fall when still small. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026

Sprinkle Mosquito Bits granules into the water that collects in the center of the leafy rosette to prevent Aedes mosquitoes from breeding there. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026

The Lady in Silver Dress, whose dainty rosette touches and sheer organza layer will add whimsy to all your dinner parties from hereon out. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 26 Feb. 2026

The town’s colorful buildings feature bow windows, loggias, colorful mosaics, and delicate rosettes in a delightful Belle Époque style. —Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 15 Feb. 2026

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