Flower — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈflau̇(-ə)r/ flow·er

Meaning & Definition of Flower

Flower (noun)

  1. the specialized part of an angiospermous plant that occurs singly or in clusters, possesses whorls of often colorful petals or sepals, and bears the reproductive structures (such as stamens or pistils) involved in the development of seeds and fruit, blossom
  2. a cluster of small flowers growing closely together that resembles and is often viewed as a single flower, inflorescence
  3. a plant grown or valued for its flowers

Flower (verb)

  1. develop
  2. flourish
  3. to produce flowers, blossom

Flower (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the usually showy plant part that produces seeds

    "flowers are always a thoughtful gift"

    similar: bloom, blossom
    related: bud, floret, floweret, bouquet, nosegay, posy, arrangement, boutonniere, corsage, garland, lei, spray, wreath

  2. a state or time of great activity, thriving, or achievement

    "the skiing season is usually in full flower by Christmas"

    similar: bloom, blossom, florescence, floruit, flush, heyday, high noon, prime, salad days, springtime
    related: autumn, Indian summer, blooming, blossoming, efflorescence, flowering, acme, apex, climax, meridian, peak, pinnacle, summit, zenith, glory, grandeur, splendor, belle epoque, golden age, silver age, comeback, recovery, revival
    near: decay, decline, downfall, bottom, nadir, shriveling, wilting, withering

  3. individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class

    "without exception, the flower of this year's graduating class will be going to prestigious colleges"

    similar: A-list, aristocracy, best, choice, corps d'elite, cream, crème de la crème, elect, elite, fat, illuminati, pick, pink, pride, priesthood, prime, royalty, upper crust, cream of the crop, Hall of Fame
    related: establishment, gentry, nobility, quality, society, top, top drawer, upper class, caviar, who's who
    near: commoners, herd, hoi polloi, masses, millions, mob, multitude, rank and file, unwashed

Flower (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to produce flowers

    "the plant will keep flowering if you water it and regularly cut off the dead blossoms"

    similar: bloom, blossom, blow, burgeon, effloresce, unfold
    related: leaf, leave, bud, open
    near: dry up, fade, shrivel, wilt, wither, die, drop, expire, perish

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Flower

The most common words with a similar meaning to Flower:

bloom, blossom, florescence, floruit, flush, heyday, high noon, prime, salad days, springtime, A-list, aristocracy, best, choice, corps d'elite, cream, crème de la crème, elect, elite, fat, illuminati, pick, pink, pride, priesthood, royalty, upper crust, cream of the crop, Hall of Fame, blow, burgeon, effloresce, unfold

Related Words for Flower

bud, floret, floweret, bouquet, nosegay, posy, arrangement, boutonniere, corsage, garland, lei, spray, wreath, autumn, Indian summer, blooming, blossoming, efflorescence, flowering, acme, apex, climax, meridian, peak, pinnacle, summit, zenith, glory, grandeur, splendor

Near Antonyms of Flower

decay, decline, downfall, bottom, nadir, shriveling, wilting, withering, commoners, herd, hoi polloi, masses, millions, mob, multitude, rank and file, unwashed, dry up, fade, shrivel, wilt, wither, die, drop, expire, perish

Word Forms of Flower

Inflections: flowered, flowering, flowers

Derived words: flowered (adjective), flowerful (adjective), flowerless (adjective), flowerlike (adjective), flowerer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Flower

Middle English flour, flur "blossom of a plant, prime of life, best of a class, ground grain free of bran," borrowed from Anglo-French flour, flur (also continental Old French), going back to Latin flōr-, flōs "flower, bloom, flourishing condition, choicest part, best of a class," going back to Indo-European *bhleh3-os, s-stem derivative from the verbal base *bhleh3- "bloom, break into flower" blow:3

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Flower

Words & Phrases Containing Flower

flower bud, flower bug, flower child, flower girl, flower head, flower people, flower power

Frequently Asked Questions about Flower

What does "Flower" mean?

"Flower" means the specialized part of an angiospermous plant that occurs singly or in clusters, possesses whorls of often colorful petals or sepals, and bears the reproductive structures (such as stamens or pistils) involved in the development of seeds and fruit, blossom. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: the specialized part of an angiospermous plant that occurs singly or in clusters, possesses whorls of often colorful petals or sepals, and bears the reproductive structures (such as stamens or pistils) involved in the development of seeds and fruit, blossom. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Flower"?

Other words for "Flower" include bloom, blossom, florescence, floruit, flush, heyday, high noon and prime. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Flower" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Flower"?

There are 82 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Flower". Common alternatives include bloom, blossom, florescence, floruit, flush, heyday, high noon, prime, salad days and springtime.

How do you use "Flower" in a sentence?

Examples of "Flower" in a sentence: "flowers are always a thoughtful gift"; "the skiing season is usually in full flower by Christmas"; "without exception, the flower of this year's graduating class will be going to prestigious colleges".

Is "Flower" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Flower" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Flower" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Flower" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Flower"?

"Flower" is pronounced /ˈflau̇(-ə)r/ and divided into syllables as flow·er.

What is the origin of the word "Flower"?

"Flower" comes from Middle English flour, flur "blossom of a plant, prime of life, best of a class, ground grain free of bran," borrowed from Anglo-French flour, flur (also continental Old French), going back to Latin flōr-, flōs "flower, bloom, flourishing condition, choicest part, best of a class," going back to Indo-European *bhleh3-os, s-stem derivative from the verbal base *bhleh3- "bloom, break into flower" blow:3. First known use: 13th century.