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

Despite a scene explicitly showing how Violet’s sister, Jen (Violette Beane), pressured Fahy’s wallflower protagonist into wearing a look that character wouldn’t typically put on, Jeffares Hourie still thought a lot about how that item ended up in her closet. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2025

With plenty of punch, this collection is certainly not for the wallflowers. —Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2025

Coughlan followed it up with Netflix phenomenon Bridgerton, stealing the show as Penelope Featherington, a Regency-era wallflower who is secretly Lady Whistledown, the anonymous author of a notorious scandal sheet. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025

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

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)