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Definition of 'flower'

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flower

(flaʊər )
Word forms: flowers, flowering, flowered
1. countable noun
A flower is the part of a plant which is often brightly colored, grows at the end of a stem, and only survives for a short time.
Each individual flower is tiny.
Synonyms: bloom, blossom, efflorescence   More Synonyms of flower
2. countable noun
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
Flowers are small plants that are grown for their flowers as opposed to trees, shrubs, and vegetables.
...a lawned area surrounded by screening plants and flowers.
4. intransitive verb
When a plant or tree flowers, its flowers appear and open.
Several of these rhododendrons will flower this year for the first time.
Synonyms: bloom, open, mature, flourish   More Synonyms of flower
5. intransitive verb
When something flowers, for example, a political movement or a relationship, it gets stronger and more successful.
Their relationship flowered.
Synonyms: blossom, grow, develop, progress   More Synonyms of flower
More Synonyms of flower
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

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flower in American English

(ˈflaʊər )
noun
1. 
a. 
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
b. 
a blossom; bloom
c. 
the reproductive structure of any plant
2. 
a plant cultivated for its blossoms; flowering plant
3. 
the best or finest part or example
the flower of a country's youth
4. 
the best period of a person or thing; time of flourishing
5. 
something decorative; esp., a figure of speech
6.  [pl.]; Chemistry
a substance in powder form, made from condensed vapors
flowers of sulfur
verb intransitive
7. 
to produce blossoms; bloom
8. 
to reach the best or most vigorous stage
his genius flowered early
verb transitive
9. 
to decorate with flowers or floral patterns
Idioms:
in flower
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
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
1. 
the blossom of a plant
2. Botany
a. 
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
b. 
an analogous reproductive structure in other plants, as the mosses
3. 
a plant, considered with reference to its blossom or cultivated for its floral beauty
4. 
state of efflorescence or bloom
Peonies were in flower
5. 
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
7. 
an ornament or adornment
8. 
the finest or most flourishing period
Poetic drama was in flower in Elizabethan England
9. 
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
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019 by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[1150–1200; ME flour flower, best of anything ‹ OF flor, flour, flur ‹ L flōr- (s. of flōs). Cf. blossom]
Word Frequency

flower in British English

(ˈflaʊə )
noun
1. 
a. 
a bloom or blossom on a plant
b. 
a plant that bears blooms or blossoms
2. 
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-
3. 
any similar reproductive structure in other plants
4. 
the prime; peak
in the flower of his youth
5. 
the choice or finest product, part, or representative
the flower of the young men
6. 
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
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
flower-like (ˈflower-ˌlike)
adjective
Word origin
C13: from Old French flor, from Latin flōs; see blow3

Examples of 'flower' in a sentence
flower

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
They sow grass and plant flowers and shrubs.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Why do my courgettes rot from the flower end?
The Sun (2016)
The pale yellow flowers are delightfully scented and blossom over a long period.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Pineapple lily leaves and flower stems have turned to complete mush now.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There are still some wild flowers to be seen.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This comes out in the summer with spectacular, deep pink flowers.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It's a marvellous thing as a backing to other shrubs, in flower and autumn colour.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yes, you'll lose flowers for one season.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The flowers are often striped with red beneath.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Yellow flowers on bare stems in early spring.
Bloom, Adrian Winter Garden Glory (1993)
They often produce more than one flush of flowers each year.
The Sun (2010)
Secure any extra flowers or decorations with craft glue.
The Sun (2014)
This should foster new growth and flowers.
The Sun (2007)
It flowers on bare stems with small clusters of light pink flowers.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Generations before have also had their identity forged in the flower of youth.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The flowers will keep appearing as long as you keep picking!
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The " hundred flowers" had blossomed for little more than one season.
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
The bulbs can be planted outside and flower in spring.
The Sun (2013)
You are a flower in full bloom.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Where do all the flowers in our gardens come from?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Perhaps our working relationship flowered because there was understanding on both sides.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They may flower or just come up blind.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Remove and burn any rotten flowers and stems.
The Sun (2013)
The freak rains also triggered an astonishing bloom of flowers.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Old plants can have all their leaves cut away to leave the flower stems naked and proud.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Paint all the flowers in bright colours.
The Sun (2014)
There is no point placing a flower bed under flowers that are already dead.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It will soon burst out into cascades of glorious large white flowers.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The common names for our wild flowers and trees go back into the mists of time.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Try breathing on to the flowers first to warm them up on a cold day.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
These plants should be kept under control by cutting back any unruly or unwanted stems after flowering has ended.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)

Quotations

' Tis the last rose of summer
Left blooming alone;
All her lovely companions
Are faded and gone
Thomas Moore'Tis the last rose of Summer
There is no `Why' about the rose, it blossoms because it blossoms
It pays no heed to itself, and does not care whether it is seen
Angelus Silesius
The flower is the poetry of reproduction. It is an example of the eternal seductiveness of lifeJean GiraudouxThe Enchanted
When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the momentGeorgia O'Keeffe
O my love's like a red, red roseRobert BurnsA Red, Red Rose

Word lists with
flower

affection, terms used in botany

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1
-

Score: 0 / 5

Which term used in botany am I?

the response of a plant part to the stimulus of gravity. Plant stems, which grow upwards irrespective of the position in which they are placed, show negative geotropism
fruit geotropism tropism

Which term used in botany am I?

part of the embryo of seed-bearing plants that develops into the main root
fruit ovule radicle

Which term used in botany am I?

the transfer of pollen from the anthers of one flower to the stigma of another flower by the action of wind, insects, etc
cross-pollination pollinate self-pollination

Which term used in botany am I?

the part of a fruit enclosing the seeds; pericarp
fruit guard cell seed capsule

Which term used in botany am I?

the directional growth of plants in response to the stimulus of water
fruit hydrotropism tropism
Your score:

Related word partners
flower
 

beautiful flower
cut flowers
edible flowers
flower garland
flower grower
flower motif
flower nectar
flower petal
flower pollen
flower pot
flower seed
flower spike
flower stalk
flower vase
fragrant flowers
fresh flowers
fresh-cut flowers
grow flowers
in full flower
male flower
perennial flowers
pick flowers
plastic flower
pollinate a flower
pretty flowers
produce flowers
scent of flowers
scented flower
seasonal flower
send flowers
silk flower
smell the flowers
spring flower
summer flower
tiny flowers
tropical flower
tubular flower
variety of flower
wedding flowers

Trends of
flower

View usage over:

In other languages
flower

British English: flower /ˈflaʊə/ NOUN
A flower is the brightly coloured part of a plant which grows at the end of a stem.
...a bunch of flowers.
  • American English: flower /ˈflaʊər/
  • Arabic: زَهْرَة
  • Brazilian Portuguese: flor
  • Chinese: 花
  • Croatian: cvijet
  • Czech: květina
  • Danish: blomst
  • Dutch: bloem plant
  • European Spanish: flor
  • Finnish: kukka
  • French: fleur
  • German: Blume
  • Greek: λουλούδι
  • Italian: fiore
  • Japanese: 花
  • Korean: 꽃
  • Norwegian: blomst
  • Polish: kwiat
  • European Portuguese: flor
  • Romanian: floare
  • Russian: цветок
  • Spanish: flor
  • Swedish: blomma
  • Thai: ดอกไม้
  • Turkish: çiçek
  • Ukrainian: квітка
  • Vietnamese: hoa
British English: flower /ˈflaʊə/ VERB
When a plant or tree flowers, its flowers appear and open.
Several of these rhododendrons will flower this year for the first time.
  • American English: flower /ˈflaʊər/
  • Arabic: يُزْهِرُ
  • Brazilian Portuguese: florescer
  • Chinese: 开花
  • Croatian: cvjetati
  • Czech: kvést
  • Danish: blomstre
  • Dutch: bloeien
  • European Spanish: florecer
  • Finnish: kukkia
  • French: fleurir
  • German: blühen
  • Greek: ανθίζω
  • Italian: fiorire
  • Japanese: 花が咲く
  • Korean: 꽃이 피다
  • Norwegian: blomstre
  • Polish: zakwitnąć
  • European Portuguese: florescer
  • Romanian: a înflori
  • Russian: цвести
  • Spanish: florecer
  • Swedish: blomma
  • Thai: ผลิดอก
  • Turkish: çiçek açmak
  • Ukrainian: квітнути
  • Vietnamese: ra hoa

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Browse alphabetically
flower

  • flowage
  • flowback
  • flowchart
  • flower
  • flower arrangement
  • flower arranger
  • flower arranging

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'F'

Related terms of
flower

  • in flower
  • ball-flower
  • coat flower
  • disk flower
  • flower bed

  • View more related words

Source

Definition of flower from the Collins English Dictionary
New from Collins

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pair or pear?

Drag the correct answer into the box.
pair
pear
Throw me over a   of socks.

warn or worn?

Drag the correct answer into the box.
Worn
Warn
  rugs increase the danger of tripping.

weak or week?

Which version is correct?
I had a letter from my mother last weak. I had a letter from my mother last week.

board or bored?

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bored
board
 I got   with my job as a travel agent. 

we're or were or where?

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We're
Were
Where
  thinking of going to a jazz club tonight.
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Nov 21, 2021
Word of the day
aubade
a song or poem appropriate to or greeting the dawn
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Scrabble score
for 'flower':
12

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negative view
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