flower
/ˈflaʊ.ə/ IELTSAcademic
noun
- 1.
The part of a plant that is often bright, soft, and makes seeds. Flowers grow on many plants, trees, and bushes.
- The rose has a red flower.
- These flowers bloom in spring.
- She picked a flower from the garden.
- 2.
A single blossom, or a group of blossoms on one plant. People also use it for the whole plant part seen as a unit.
- The plant has small white flowers.
- A flower opened in the morning sun.
- The bouquet had ten flowers.
Adinary Nuance
Flower is the general word for the bloom of a plant. It is broader and more everyday than blossom, which often suggests a fresh spring bloom. It is also different from bloom, which can mean the flowering stage, not the thing itself.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- bông hoa
- Spanish
- flor
- Chinese
- 花
- Japanese
- 花
- Korean
- 꽃
Etymology
Flower comes from Old French flor, from Latin flos, floris, meaning 'flower' or 'blossom'. It has been used in English since the Middle English period.
Common phrases
in flowerflower gardenflower petalsflower arrangement
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is flower the same as blossom?
- Often, yes. Flower is the general word, while blossom often suggests a tree flower, especially in spring.
- Can I use flower for one bloom and many blooms?
- Yes. Use flower for one bloom, and flowers for more than one.
- Is flower used in academic writing?
- Yes. It is a common, neutral word in both everyday and academic English.