noun
pansy
PAN-zee
Pansy (noun) means a small cultivated garden flower with broad, often multicoloured petals. Example: “She planted rows of pansies along the garden path.”
noun
1
A small cultivated garden flower with broad, often multicoloured petals.
"She planted rows of pansies along the garden path."
2
An informal, often dismissive term for a timid or weak person.
"Stop being a pansy and try the roller coaster."
How to use pansy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA garden flower, or (as slang) an insult meaning someone is weak or cowardly.
When to use it
The "weak person" sense is dated and can be considered offensive; use with caution.
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Word forms
- Plural
- pansies
- Third person singular
- pansies
- Past tense
- pansied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Stop being a _____ and try the roller coaster.
Etymology
From Middle French pensée ("thought"), because the flower's drooping head was fancied to look like someone deep in thought.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pansy
See all rhymes for pansy →Frequently asked questions
What does “pansy” mean?
The word “pansy” means a small cultivated garden flower with broad, often multicoloured petals. In plain terms, a garden flower, or (as slang) an insult meaning someone is weak or cowardly.
How do you pronounce “pansy”?
“Pansy” is pronounced PAN-zee (/ˈpæn.zi/ in IPA).
How do you use “pansy” in a sentence?
Here is “pansy” used in a sentence: “Stop being a pansy and try the roller coaster.”
What part of speech is “pansy”?
“Pansy” is a noun.
Where does the word “pansy” come from?
The word “pansy” comes from Middle French. From Middle French pensée ("thought"), because the flower's drooping head was fancied to look like someone deep in thought.
How many meanings does “pansy” have?
“Pansy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small cultivated garden flower with broad, often multicoloured petals.
