Definition of 'cornflower'

Word Frequency

cornflower

(kɔːʳnflaʊəʳ )

Word forms: plural cornflowers

variable noun

Cornflowers are small plants with flowers that are usually blue.

Her eyes were a bright, cornflower blue.

Image of
cornflower

cornflower in British English

(ˈkɔːnˌflaʊə )

noun

a Eurasian herbaceous plant, Centaurea cyanus, with blue, purple, pink, or white flowers, formerly a common weed in cornfields: family Asteraceae ( composites)

Also called: bluebottle. See also bachelor's-buttons

Word Frequency

cornflower in American English

(ˈkɔrnˌflaʊər )

noun

an annual plant (Centaurea cyanus) of the composite family, with tiny, raylike, white, pink, or blue flowers forming a round head at the top of the stem

Word Frequency

cornflower in American English

(ˈkɔrnˌflauər)

noun

1. Also called: bachelor's-button, bluebottle

a European composite plant, Centaurea cyanus, growing in grainfields, having blue to white flower heads, often cultivated as an ornamental

2. Also called: cornflower blue

a deep, vivid blue

3. See corn cockle

4. strawflower (sense 2)

Word origin

[1570–80; corn1 + flower]

Examples of 'cornflower' in a sentence
cornflower

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

He was wearing a single-breasted suit -- very dark blue -- a cornflower blue shirt and a burgundy silk tie.She tossed her long plait over her shoulder and her cornflower blue eyes narrowed. Staring into her cornflower blue eyes he almost told her no.

Word lists with
cornflower

flower

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

Score: 0 / 5

Which flower am I?

any of several plants of the genus Achillea, esp A. millefolium, of Eurasia, having finely dissected leaves and flat clusters of white flower heads: family Asteraceae (composites)

black-eyed Susan sunflower yarrow

Which flower am I?

any plant of the genus Begonia, of warm and tropical regions, widely cultivated for their ornamental leaves and waxy flowers: family Begoniaceae

acanthus begonia water lily

Which flower am I?

any plant of the genus Aster, having white, blue, purple, or pink daisy-like flowers: family Asteraceae (composites)

aster Michaelmas daisy zinnia

Which flower am I?

any of various plants of the genus Tropaeolum, esp T. major, having round leaves and yellow, red, or orange trumpet-shaped spurred flowers: family Tropaeolaceae

marigold nasturtium water lily

Which flower am I?

a Eurasian composite plant, Leucanthemum vulgare having flower heads with a yellow centre and white outer rays

daisy marguerite oxeye daisy

Your score: