noun

bougainvillea

boo-gun-VIL-ee-uh

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Bougainvillea (noun) means a flowering shrub or climbing plant from South America with brightly coloured papery bracts surrounding small flowers. Example: “Bougainvillea trailed over the garden wall in vivid pink and purple.”

noun

A flowering shrub or climbing plant from South America with brightly coloured papery bracts surrounding small flowers.

"Bougainvillea trailed over the garden wall in vivid pink and purple."

"They planted a bougainvillea beside the veranda for shade and colour."

"The bougainvillea's thorny stems make it tricky to prune."

How to use bougainvillea

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA vibrant, thorny flowering shrub often grown over walls and fences in warm climates.

When to use it

Bougainvillea is a standard botanical and everyday name, with no informal alternative in common use.

Memory tip

Break it into boo-gun-VIL-ee-uh and remember it honours a person's surname, much like many other plant names.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

climbing bougainvillea bougainvillea bracts a wall of bougainvillea flowering bougainvillea

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “bougainvillea” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ trailed over the garden wall in vivid pink and purple.

Etymology

Bougainvillea takes its name from the French explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville, who lived from 1729 to 1811. The plant's scientific name was formed from his surname with the ending -a added.

Origin: French

Rhymes for bougainvillea

ea sea tea pea yea lea Bea DEA hea Rea urea plea

See all rhymes for bougainvillea →

Frequently asked questions

What is a bougainvillea?

It is a flowering shrub or vine from South America, prized for its bright, papery bracts that surround small flowers.

Why is it called bougainvillea?

It is named after the French admiral and explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville.

What colour are bougainvillea flowers?

The true flowers are small and plain, but the showy colour comes from bracts, which can be shades such as pink, purple or red.

What is the meaning of bougainvillea?

"bougainvillea" (noun) means a flowering shrub or climbing plant from South America with brightly coloured papery bracts surrounding small flowers.