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
1
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."
2
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 notesIn 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.
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Word forms
- Plural
- wallflowers
- Third person singular
- wallflowers
- Past tense
- wallflowered
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
See all rhymes for wallflower →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.
