strawflower

noun

straw·​flow·​er ˈstrȯ-ˌflau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce strawflower (audio)
: any of several plants having everlasting flowers
especially : an Australian composite herb (Helichrysum bracteatum) widely cultivated for its brightly colored flower heads in which papery bracts resembling ray flowers surround a central disk

Illustration of strawflower

Illustration of strawflower

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web For specialty items like strawflower, go to a local floral shop. Deanna Kizis, Sunset Magazine, 26 Oct. 2022 To create it, use florists wire to attach a mix of pink-dyed and natural bunny tail grass, strawflower, globe amaranth, and dyed flax berries to a grapevine wreath. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2022 This bouquet features pink coxcomb, burgundy ruscus, blackberry millet, pink strawflower, and echinops. Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 July 2021 Blooms like pansies, strawflower, and zinnias, along with wispy grasses, can fill in any gaps. Jessica Dailey, Good Housekeeping, 19 Oct. 2020 Flowers include sweet peas, cerinthe and strawflowers. Steve Edwards, Anchorage Daily News, 5 July 2019 Flowers which air dry well include goldenrod, hydrangea, statice, strawflower, celosia, rosebuds, yarrow, globe amaranth, grass plumes, rudbeckia, bachelor's buttons, zinnias and sunflower, to name a few. Dan Gill, NOLA.com, 4 Nov. 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'strawflower.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of strawflower was circa 1922

Dictionary Entries Near strawflower

Cite this Entry

“Strawflower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strawflower. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


What Did You Just Call Me?

  • brown chihuahua sitting on the floor with squinting eyes looking at the camera
  • Before we went to her house, Hannah told us her aunt was a flibbertigibbet.
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY