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

Throughout the show, Louise goes from meek wallflower struggling to keep up with her sister June (Jordan Tyson) in their family Vaudeville act to the take-charge superstar stripper, all while under the unbearable pressure from her mother, Rose (Audra McDonald). —Dave Quinn, People.com, 12 May 2025

Taking in the festivities firsthand felt like being a wallflower amid a room of my most interesting peers. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025

The Cream Voltage range was already anything but a wallflower, but even the brightest, sparkliest axe pales in comparison to the fluid, shifting body of the Voltage DaVinci, which was launched at The NAMM Show this week. —New Atlas, 30 Jan. 2025

Heathers follows wallflower Veronica Sawyer, who is taken under the wing of the popular yet acid-hearted Heather Chandler (played by the late Kim Walker in the movie) and her two minions: Heather Duke (the late Shannen Doherty) and Heather McNamara (Lisanne Falk). —Jen Juneau, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for wallflower

• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower
• manpower
• mayflower
• safflower
• sunflower
• watchtower
• wildflower

Kids Definition

wallflower

noun

wall·​flow·​er ˈwȯl-ˌflau̇(-ə)r 

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