petal

noun

pet·​al ˈpe-tᵊl 

: one of the modified often brightly colored leaves of the corolla of a flower see flower illustration

petaled adjective

or petalled

ˈpe-tᵊld 

petallike

ˈpe-tᵊl-ˌ(l)īk 

adjective

Examples of petal in a Sentence

flowers with pink and white petals

Recent Examples on the Web

The pair were enjoying an intimate dinner at the luxury oceanfront resort surrounded by rose petals, soft candlelight and a crackling fireplace. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025

Baies melds notes of rose petals, jasmine, lemon, and musk, while Santal mists linens with a sultrily woody mix of santal, orchid, violet, and cedar. —Jenny Berg, Allure, 20 Feb. 2025

Plump blossoms and spiky fronds of foliage fan out with the lushness of a farmers market bouquet, and its sturdy vine base, silk petals, and plastic parts will stand up to many seasons of use. —Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Feb. 2025

Among the other notable features: the chest is flanked with dogwood petals — the North Carolina state flower — and the No. 4 printed on the front and back is for Charlotte’s first area code of 704. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin petalum, from Greek petalon; akin to Greek petannynai to spread out — more at fathom

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing petal

• banner petal
• standard petal

Rhymes for petal

• betel
• cetyl
• kettle
• metal
• mettle
• nettle
• setal
• settle
• diacetyl
• gunmetal
• nonmetal
• resettle

Kids Definition

petal

noun

pet·​al ˈpet-ᵊl 

: one of the often brightly colored modified leaves that make up the corolla of a flower

petaled adjective

or petalled

-ᵊld 

petallike

-ᵊl-ˌ(l)īk 

adjective