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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

orchid

AW-kihd
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Orchid (noun) means a plant of the orchid family, known for its unusually shaped, often striking flowers. Example: “She received a bouquet of exotic orchids for her birthday.”

noun
1
A plant of the orchid family, known for its unusually shaped, often striking flowers.
"She received a bouquet of exotic orchids for her birthday."
"Orchids need careful watering — too much can rot their roots."

How to use orchid

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA flowering plant prized for its elaborate, often exotic-looking blooms.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
orchid flower grow orchids orchid plant
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Word forms

Plural
orchids
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She received a bouquet of exotic _____ for her birthday.

Etymology

From New Latin Orchidaceae, based on Latin orchis, from Greek órkhis, meaning both "orchid" and "testicle" — a reference to the shape of some orchid root tubers.

Origin: New Latin

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “orchid” mean?
The word “orchid” means a plant of the orchid family, known for its unusually shaped, often striking flowers. In plain terms, a flowering plant prized for its elaborate, often exotic-looking blooms.
How do you pronounce “orchid”?
“Orchid” is pronounced AW-kihd (/ˈɔɹ.kɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “orchid” in a sentence?
Here is “orchid” used in a sentence: “She received a bouquet of exotic orchids for her birthday.”
What is another word for “orchid”?
Words with a similar meaning to “orchid” include orchidea.
What part of speech is “orchid”?
“Orchid” is a noun.
Where does the word “orchid” come from?
The word “orchid” comes from New Latin.
Is “orchid” a common word?
“Orchid” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

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