rose
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for rose, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A shrub or climbing plant, or its flower, prized for its fragrance and often thorny stems.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
How to use rose
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English rose, reinforced by Old French rose, both ultimately from Latin rosa — a word that may trace back through Greek to a very old Persian root for "flower."
Full origin of rose →Frequently asked questions
What does “rose” mean?
The word “rose” means a shrub or climbing plant, or its flower, prized for its fragrance and often thorny stems. In plain terms, most commonly the flower, but also used for the pinkish colour and for round, flower-shaped shapes or fittings.
How do you pronounce “rose”?
“Rose” is pronounced rohz (/ɹoʊz/ in IPA).
How do you use “rose” in a sentence?
Here is “rose” used in a sentence: “She planted a row of roses along the garden fence.”
What part of speech is “rose”?
“Rose” is a noun.
Where does the word “rose” come from?
The word “rose” comes from Latin. From Old English rose, reinforced by Old French rose, both ultimately from Latin rosa — a word that may trace back through Greek to a very old Persian root for "flower.".
Is “rose” a common word?
“Rose” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “rose” have?
“Rose” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a shrub or climbing plant, or its flower, prized for its fragrance and often thorny stems.
What are the main types of roses?
Roses are grouped into several classes. Hybrid teas produce large single blooms on long stems; floribundas bloom in clusters; grandifloras combine both traits. Climbing roses scale supports, shrub roses form bushy plants, and wild or species roses grow naturally. Miniatures and old garden roses are also popular categories.
What does a rose symbolize?
The rose is a classic symbol of love and beauty, but colour changes its meaning. Red roses signal romantic love, white suggests purity or remembrance, yellow stands for friendship, and pink conveys gratitude or admiration. This rich symbolism makes roses the most popular flower for weddings, anniversaries, and Valentine's Day.
Why do roses have thorns?
What we call thorns on a rose are technically prickles — sharp outgrowths of the stem's outer layer. They evolved as a defence, deterring animals from eating the plant and helping climbing varieties hook onto supports as they grow. Many cultivated roses are now bred to have fewer prickles.
Does 'rose' have other meanings?
Yes. Besides the flower and plant, rose is the past tense of the verb 'rise' — the sun rose, prices rose. It can also describe a pinkish-red colour, and 'rosé' names a pink wine. In this entry, though, rose refers specifically to the flowering shrub and its bloom.