English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

cauliflower

KOL-ee-flow-uh
Quiz me More like this

Cauliflower (noun) means a vegetable related to cabbage, grown for its dense white head of edible flower buds. Example: “She roasted the cauliflower with olive oil and garlic.”

noun
1
A vegetable related to cabbage, grown for its dense white head of edible flower buds.
"She roasted the cauliflower with olive oil and garlic."
2
A permanently swollen, deformed ear caused by repeated blunt trauma, common among wrestlers and boxers.
"Years of wrestling left him with cauliflower ear."

How to use cauliflower

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA white-headed vegetable in the cabbage family, or the name for a wrestler's characteristic swollen ear.

Common pairings
cauliflower ear roasted cauliflower cauliflower rice
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like cauliflower.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Plural
cauliflowers
Third person singular
cauliflowers
Past tense
cauliflowered
Test yourself on “cauliflower” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She roasted the _____ with olive oil and garlic.

Etymology

From an earlier form cole-florye — cole (from Latin caulis, "cabbage stalk") + flower — later respelled to look more Latin.

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for cauliflower

See all rhymes for cauliflower →

Frequently asked questions

What does “cauliflower” mean?
The word “cauliflower” means a vegetable related to cabbage, grown for its dense white head of edible flower buds. In plain terms, a white-headed vegetable in the cabbage family, or the name for a wrestler's characteristic swollen ear.
How do you pronounce “cauliflower”?
“Cauliflower” is pronounced KOL-ee-flow-uh (/ˈkɔl.ɪˌflaʊ.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cauliflower” in a sentence?
Here is “cauliflower” used in a sentence: “She roasted the cauliflower with olive oil and garlic.”
What part of speech is “cauliflower”?
“Cauliflower” is a noun.
Where does the word “cauliflower” come from?
The word “cauliflower” comes from Latin. From an earlier form cole-florye — cole (from Latin caulis, "cabbage stalk") + flower — later respelled to look more Latin.
How many meanings does “cauliflower” have?
“Cauliflower” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a vegetable related to cabbage, grown for its dense white head of edible flower buds.