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 of wallflower

• introvert
• mouse

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

All of Jane Austen‘s wallflowers will be given their chance to bloom as BritBox launches an anthology franchise off the back of The Other Bennet Sister‘s success. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2026

Its sculptural steel case highlighted by gradient blue dial in peacock hues and a sky-blue rotating bezel, meant this timekeeper was never meant for a wallflower. — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2026

A lot of these crypto people, who maybe didn’t have buzzing social lives—wallflowers who didn’t know how to communicate—became billionaires. — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026

Carolina Herrera’s audacious line of fragrances isn’t for a wallflower. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026

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)