noun

cornflower

KORN-flow-er

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Cornflower (noun) means a small annual plant with bushy blue flowers that grows wild in the cornfields of Europe. Example: “We scattered cornflower seeds along the edge of the vegetable patch.”

noun

A small annual plant with bushy blue flowers that grows wild in the cornfields of Europe.

"We scattered cornflower seeds along the edge of the vegetable patch."

"A single cornflower was growing in the verge beside the wheat."

"The bees kept returning to the cornflowers by the gate."

A shade of blue, taken from the colour of the flower and also called cornflower blue.

"She painted the kitchen door cornflower."

"The bridesmaids wore dresses in a soft cornflower."

How to use cornflower

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA blue wildflower of cornfields, or the shade of blue it gives its name to.

When to use it

Neutral, used in everyday speech and in gardening and colour descriptions.

Memory tip

Cornflower and cornflour sound the same, so check the spelling: the flower has the extra letter w.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

cornflour →

Common pairings

cornflower blue cornflower seeds a field of cornflowers wild cornflower

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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 “cornflower” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

We scattered _____ seeds along the edge of the vegetable patch.

Etymology

The word is a compound of English corn and flower, so it names a flower of the cornfields. It is a piecewise doublet of cornflour.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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bachelor's button bluebottle cornflower blue strawflower

Related words

fly azure

Rhymes for cornflower

rower tower power lower bower mower cower Gower flower blower shower slower

See all rhymes for cornflower →

Frequently asked questions

What is a cornflower?

A cornflower is a small annual plant, Centaurea cyanus, with bushy blue flowers. It grows wild in the cornfields of Europe.

What colour is cornflower blue?

Cornflower blue is a shade of blue similar to that of the usual cornflower.

Is cornflower the same as cornflour?

No. Cornflower is a blue-flowered plant, while cornflour is a different word that sounds the same. The two words are related through their shared parts.

What is the meaning of cornflower?

"cornflower" (noun) means a small annual plant with bushy blue flowers that grows wild in the cornfields of Europe.

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