columbine
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.”
How to use columbine
Learner’s notesIn 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.
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.
Word forms
more columbine comparative, columbines plural, Columbines plural, most columbine superlative
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.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for columbine
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.