Definition of 'flower'

Word Frequency

flower

(flaʊəʳ )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense flowers , present participle flowering , past tense, past participle flowered

1. countable noun

A flower is the part of a plant which is often brightly coloured, grows at the end of a stem, and only survives for a short time.

Each individual flower is tiny.

...large, purplish-blue flowers.

Synonyms: bloom, blossom, efflorescence More Synonyms of flower

2. countable noun [usually plural]

A flower is a stem of a plant that has one or more flowers on it and has been picked, usually with others, for example to give as a present or to put in a vase.

...a bunch of flowers sent by a new admirer.

3. countable noun [usually plural]

Flowers are small plants that are grown for their flowers as opposed to trees, shrubs, and vegetables.

...a lawned area surrounded by plants and flowers.

The flower garden will be ablaze with colour every day.

4. verb

When a plant or tree flowers, its flowers appear and open.

Several of these rhododendrons will flower this year for the first time. [VERB]

Synonyms: bloom, open, mature, flourish More Synonyms of flower

5. verb

When something flowers, for example a political movement or a relationship, it gets stronger and more successful.

Their relationship flowered. [VERB]

Synonyms: blossom, grow, develop, progress More Synonyms of flower

6. singular noun [the NOUN of noun]

A person or thing that is described as the flower of something is the best part or example of it.

[literary]

Those killed have been described as the flower of Polish manhood.

See in flower

8. See also flowered

More Synonyms of flower

Image of
flower

Video: pronunciation of
flower

flower in British English

(ˈflaʊə )

noun

a bloom or blossom on a plant

a plant that bears blooms or blossoms

the reproductive structure of angiosperm plants, consisting normally of stamens and carpels surrounded by petals and sepals all borne on the receptacle (one or more of these structures may be absent). In some plants it is conspicuous and brightly coloured and attracts insects or other animals for pollination

▶ Related adjective: floral ▶ Related prefix: antho-

any similar reproductive structure in other plants

the prime; peak

in the flower of his youth

the choice or finest product, part, or representative

the flower of the young men

a decoration or embellishment

7. printing

a type ornament, used with others in borders, chapter headings, etc

8. Also called: fleuron

an embellishment or ornamental symbol depicting a flower

9. (plural)

fine powder, usually produced by sublimation

flowers of sulphur

verb

10. (intransitive)

to produce flowers; bloom

11. (intransitive)

to reach full growth or maturity

12. (transitive)

to deck or decorate with flowers or floral designs

Derived forms

flower-like (ˈflower-ˌlike)

adjective

Word origin

C13: from Old French flor, from Latin flōs; see blow3

Word Frequency

flower in American English

(ˈflaʊər )

noun

the seed-producing structure of an angiosperm, consisting of a shortened stem usually bearing four layers of organs, with the leaflike sepals, colorful petals, and pollen-bearing stamens unfolding around the pistils

a blossom; bloom

the reproductive structure of any plant

a plant cultivated for its blossoms; flowering plant

the best or finest part or example

the flower of a country's youth

the best period of a person or thing; time of flourishing

something decorative; esp., a figure of speech

6. [pl.]; Chemistry

a substance in powder form, made from condensed vapors

flowers of sulfur

verb intransitive

to produce blossoms; bloom

to reach the best or most vigorous stage

his genius flowered early

verb transitive

to decorate with flowers or floral patterns

Idioms:

in flower

Derived forms

flowerless (ˈflowerless)

adjective

flowerlike (ˈflowerˌlike)

adjective

Word origin

ME flowre, flour, OFr flor, flour (Fr fleur) < L flos (gen. floris), a flower: see bloom1

Word Frequency

flower in American English

(ˈflauər)

noun

the blossom of a plant

2. Botany

the part of a seed plant comprising the reproductive organs and their envelopes if any, esp. when such envelopes are more or less conspicuous in form and color

an analogous reproductive structure in other plants, as the mosses

a plant, considered with reference to its blossom or cultivated for its floral beauty

state of efflorescence or bloom

Peonies were in flower

an ornament representing a flower

6. Also called: fleuron, floret Printing

an ornamental piece of type, esp. a stylized floral design, often used in a line to decorate chapter headings, page borders, or bindings

an ornament or adornment

the finest or most flourishing period

Poetic drama was in flower in Elizabethan England

the best or finest member or part of a number, body, or whole

the flower of American youth

10.

the finest or choicest product or example

11. See flowers

intransitive verb

12.

to produce flowers; blossom; come to full bloom

13.

to come out into full development; mature

transitive verb

14.

to cover or deck with flowers

15.

to decorate with a floral design

Word origin

[1150–1200; ME flour flower, best of anything ‹ OF flor, flour, flur ‹ L flōr- (s. of flōs). Cf. blossom]

Examples of 'flower' in a sentence
flower

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They sow grass and plant flowers and shrubs.Why do my courgettes rot from the flower end?The pale yellow flowers are delightfully scented and blossom over a long period. Pineapple lily leaves and flower stems have turned to complete mush now.There are still some wild flowers to be seen.This comes out in the summer with spectacular, deep pink flowers.It's a marvellous thing as a backing to other shrubs, in flower and autumn colour.Yes, you'll lose flowers for one season.The flowers are often striped with red beneath. Yellow flowers on bare stems in early spring.