noun
ikebana
ik-ee-BAH-nuh
Ikebana (noun) means the Japanese art of arranging cut flowers. Example: “She has studied ikebana for over a decade.”
noun
1
The Japanese art of arranging cut flowers.
"She has studied ikebana for over a decade."
"The gallery ran a short course in ikebana for beginners."
"Ikebana favors line and space over a dense mass of blooms."
2
A flower arrangement made according to this art.
"An ikebana of pine branches and a single iris stood by the door."
"She set a fresh ikebana on the tea-room shelf each week."
Examples of ikebana in a sentence →
How to use ikebana
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIkebana is the Japanese craft of arranging flowers, or an arrangement made that way.
When to use it
It is a specialist term, used mainly when discussing Japanese art or flower arranging.
Memory tip
Remember it can name both the whole art form and a single finished arrangement.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
practice ikebana
an ikebana arrangement
study ikebana
an ikebana class
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She has studied _____ for over a decade.
Etymology
Ikebana comes directly from Japanese, where it is written 生け花 and means, word for word, living flowers. English simply borrowed the Japanese term along with the practice it names.
Rhymes for ikebana
See all rhymes for ikebana →Frequently asked questions
What is ikebana?
Ikebana is the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging, and the word can also mean a single arrangement made in that style.
What does the word ikebana mean literally?
It comes from Japanese words meaning living flowers.
How do you say ikebana in English?
It is commonly said as ik-ee-BAH-nuh, though speakers vary slightly in how they stress it.
What is the meaning of ikebana?
"ikebana" (noun) means the Japanese art of arranging cut flowers.
