noun

wallflower

WAWL-flow-uh

Wallflower (noun) means a person who feels too shy to join in at a party or dance and ends up standing on the sidelines. Example: “She used to be a wallflower at school dances, but now she loves performing.”

noun

A person who feels too shy to join in at a party or dance and ends up standing on the sidelines.

"She used to be a wallflower at school dances, but now she loves performing."

A flowering plant with fragrant yellow, orange, or red blooms, often grown near walls.

"Wallflowers bloomed along the garden wall in spring."

How to use wallflower

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone too shy to join in, or (literally) a flower that grows against walls.

Common mistake

The "shy person" meaning is far more common in everyday speech than the literal plant name.

Word forms

wallflowered past tense, wallflowers plural, wallflowers singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She used to be a _____ at school dances, but now she loves performing.

Etymology

Named for the plant's habit of growing on or near old walls; the "shy person" sense developed by comparing someone standing quietly against a wall to the plant.

Rhymes for wallflower

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

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Frequently asked questions

What does “wallflower” mean?

The word “wallflower” means a person who feels too shy to join in at a party or dance and ends up standing on the sidelines. In plain terms, someone too shy to join in, or (literally) a flower that grows against walls.

How do you pronounce “wallflower”?

“Wallflower” is pronounced WAWL-flow-uh (/ˈwɔlˌflaʊ.ɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “wallflower” in a sentence?

Here is “wallflower” used in a sentence: “She used to be a wallflower at school dances, but now she loves performing.”

What part of speech is “wallflower”?

“Wallflower” is a noun.

How many meanings does “wallflower” have?

“Wallflower” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who feels too shy to join in at a party or dance and ends up standing on the sidelines.