noun

columbine

KO-luhm-byn

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Columbine (noun) means a garden plant of the genus Aquilegia, known for its delicate, bell-shaped flowers with backward-pointing spurs. Example: “She planted columbine along the shady edge of the border.”

noun

A garden plant of the genus Aquilegia, known for its delicate, bell-shaped flowers with backward-pointing spurs.

"She planted columbine along the shady edge of the border."

"The columbine's spurred petals attract long-tongued pollinators like hawk moths."

A school shooting or mass shooting, especially one modeled on or compared to a notorious incident.

"The news report described fears of another columbine-style attack."

How to use columbine

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUsually the flower — a pretty garden perennial — though the word has also taken on a grim secondary meaning tied to school violence, from the 1999 Columbine High School attack.

Common mistake

Context matters enormously here: without it, readers won't know if you mean the flower or the tragedy. Capitalize "Columbine" when referring to the school/place.

Common pairings

columbine flowers wild columbine columbine seeds

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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”.

Word forms

Plural: columbines
Comparative: more columbine
Superlative: most columbine

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She planted _____ along the shady edge of the border.

Etymology

From Latin columbina herba, "dove-like plant" — the flower's shape was thought to resemble a cluster of doves.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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aquilege aquilegia

Related words

aquilegia

Rhymes for columbine

nine mine wine line sine dine fine thine shine Rhine Maine seine

See all rhymes for columbine →

Frequently asked questions

What does “columbine” mean?

The word “columbine” means a garden plant of the genus Aquilegia, known for its delicate, bell-shaped flowers with backward-pointing spurs. In plain terms, usually the flower — a pretty garden perennial — though the word has also taken on a grim secondary meaning tied to school violence, from the 1999 Columbine High School attack.

How do you pronounce “columbine”?

“Columbine” is pronounced KO-luhm-byn (/ˈkɑləmˌbaɪn/ in IPA).

How do you use “columbine” in a sentence?

Here is “columbine” used in a sentence: “She planted columbine along the shady edge of the border.”

What part of speech is “columbine”?

“Columbine” is a noun.

Where does the word “columbine” come from?

The word “columbine” comes from Latin. From Latin columbina herba, "dove-like plant" — the flower's shape was thought to resemble a cluster of doves.

How many meanings does “columbine” have?

“Columbine” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a garden plant of the genus Aquilegia, known for its delicate, bell-shaped flowers with backward-pointing spurs.

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