Illustration of wallflower
- wallflower 1a
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
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
Forget those wallflowers and wow your guests with the extrovert of the dessert world.
—
Josh Miller, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
As wallflower Penelope Featherington, who harbors a double identity as the controversial Lady Whistledown, Coughlan was tasked not just with making the ton’s resident introvert a mesmerizing lead but also with bringing humanity to her character’s morally ambiguous actions.
—Abigail Lee, Variety, 6 June 2025
Wolodarsky’s voice has such a wallflower quality to it, apt for Kylie, whose asides are barely acknowledged half the time.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025
But, for now, the totality of the economic data isn’t expected to draw out Federal Reserve policymakers from their monthslong stint as wallflowers, economists say.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wallflower
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Josh Miller, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
As wallflower Penelope Featherington, who harbors a double identity as the controversial Lady Whistledown, Coughlan was tasked not just with making the ton’s resident introvert a mesmerizing lead but also with bringing humanity to her character’s morally ambiguous actions.
—Abigail Lee, Variety, 6 June 2025
Wolodarsky’s voice has such a wallflower quality to it, apt for Kylie, whose asides are barely acknowledged half the time.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025
But, for now, the totality of the economic data isn’t expected to draw out Federal Reserve policymakers from their monthslong stint as wallflowers, economists say.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wallflower
Cite this Entry
“Wallflower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wallflower. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wallflower
noun
wall·flow·er
ˈwȯl-ˌflau̇(-ə)r
: a person who from shyness or unpopularity remains alone (as at a dance)
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