wallflower

noun

wall·​flow·​er ˈwȯl-ˌflau̇(-ə)r 

1

: any of several Old World perennial herbs (genus Erysimum synonym Cheiranthus) of the mustard family

especially : a hardy erect herb (E. cheiri synonym C. cheiri) widely cultivated for its showy fragrant flowers

2

a

: a person who from shyness or unpopularity remains on the sidelines of a social activity (such as a dance)

b

: a shy or reserved person

Illustration of wallflower

• wallflower 1a

Synonyms

• introvert
• shrinking violet

Examples of wallflower in a Sentence

there were too many wallflowers at the party, so things never really got lively

Recent Examples on the Web

For the first time in God knows how long, the former wallflower walks away from the encounter with a spring in her step and her head held high. —Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2024

From Kirstie Swain, Sweetpea stars Yellowjackets’ Ella Purnell as Rhiannon Lewis, a quiet wallflower who develops a vengeful and intoxicatingly liberating taste for murder. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2024

The six-episode British revenge thriller follows Rhiannon Lewis (Purnell), a quiet wallflower that everyone overlooks, who develops a vengeful taste for murder. —Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Sep. 2024

The days of being a wallflower and voiceless member of the pack are over — this is our time to shine as bright as the sun and step into the limelight. —Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 22 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

wallflower

noun

wall·​flow·​er ˈwȯl-ˌflau̇(-ə)r 

: a person who from shyness or unpopularity remains alone (as at a dance)