carnation
Carnation (noun) means a garden plant with fragrant, often frilly-edged flowers, popular as a cut flower. Example: “He pinned a white carnation to his lapel for the wedding.”
How to use carnation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA popular ruffled flower, and also the soft pink-flesh colour named after it.
Word forms
carnations plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He pinned a white _____ to his lapel for the wedding.
Etymology
From Middle French carnation, "flesh colour," from Latin caro ("flesh") — the flower was named for its original pale pinkish-flesh hue, not the other way round.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for carnation
Frequently asked questions
What does “carnation” mean?
The word “carnation” means a garden plant with fragrant, often frilly-edged flowers, popular as a cut flower. In plain terms, a popular ruffled flower, and also the soft pink-flesh colour named after it.
How do you pronounce “carnation”?
“Carnation” is pronounced kah-NAY-shuhn (/kɑɹˈneɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “carnation” in a sentence?
Here is “carnation” used in a sentence: “He pinned a white carnation to his lapel for the wedding.”
What part of speech is “carnation”?
“Carnation” is a noun.
Where does the word “carnation” come from?
The word “carnation” comes from Latin. From Middle French carnation, "flesh colour," from Latin caro ("flesh") — the flower was named for its original pale pinkish-flesh hue, not the other way round.
How many meanings does “carnation” have?
“Carnation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a garden plant with fragrant, often frilly-edged flowers, popular as a cut flower.