wallflower

noun

wall·flow·er | \ˈwȯl-ˌflau̇(-ə)r

Definition of wallflower

1a : any of several Old World perennial herbs (genus Cheiranthus) of the mustard family especially : a hardy erect herb (C. cheiri) widely cultivated for its showy fragrant flowers

b : any of a related genus (Erysimum) of herbs with showy flowers

2a : 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

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about wallflower

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Synonyms & Antonyms for wallflower

Synonyms

introvert, shrinking violet

Antonyms

extrovert (also extravert)

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

Another example would be Opening Ceremony x Tevas, which produced colorful creepers or Opening Ceremony x Birkenstock, which produced rhinestone encrusted Birks (wallflowers need not apply). — Liz Raiss, GQ, "This Summer's Best Sandals Got the Big Ugly Sneaker Treatment," 4 July 2018 Lululemon’s customer base does not contain many wallflowers, points out Pam Quintiliano of SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, a bank. — The Economist, "Despite falling foul of the #MeToo movement, Lululemon is soaring," 12 July 2018 Confident and self-possessed, Bench was a wallflower compared with the team's shaggy-haired outfielder. — Jon Wertheim, SI.com, "Johnny Bench Is Already a Hall-of-Famer, But He's Looking For a New Distinction," 5 July 2018 Yet Wolfe wasn’t always, to borrow the title of a Nora Ephron book, merely a wallflower at the orgy. — Dwight Garner, New York Times, "Tom Wolfe Kept a Close, Comical and Astonished Eye on America," 15 May 2018 And though their trend-forward statement pieces aren’t for wallflowers, the collection of earrings, bracelets and necklaces retail at an accessible price point — just in case the movie gives fellow theatergoers any ideas. — Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "What to Wear: To dress a thief," 6 June 2018 The video begins with Selena playing the role of an inconspicuous wallflower at a party. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Selena Gomez Released a New Music Video for "13 Reasons Why" Song "Back to You"," 5 June 2018 These brief spectacles belie the dogwoods’ reputation as the ultimate woodland wallflower, obvious only briefly, and rarely attracting attention thereafter. — Dave Taft, New York Times, "Blaze of Glory," 16 May 2018 Harriet never a wallflower, spear headed the effort to stop I-84 from bisecting our beloved West Hartford reservoir in the early 70's. — Hartford Courant, courant.com, "Harriet R. Mogensen," 13 May 2018

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

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Time Traveler for wallflower

The first known use of wallflower was in 1577

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More Definitions for wallflower

wallflower

noun

Financial Definition of wallflower

What It Is

Wallflower is slang for a stock that analysts and investors tend to neglect.

How It Works

Usually used to describe individuals who are relegated to the sidelines in social events, in investing, wallflowers are stocks that investors and analysts tend to ignore. Also called orphan stocks, wallflowers do not typically display outstanding market performance, but sometimes the reason for a stock being classified as a wallflower may not be clear.

Why It Matters

Value investors sometimes hunt specifically for wallflowers. Because their stock price hasn't been inflated by investor demand, wallflowers tend to have low P/E ratios, which many investors believe can lead to solid long-term returns.

Source: Investing Answers

wallflower

noun