wallflower

noun

wall·​flow·​er ˈwȯl-ˌflau̇(-ə)r 

1

a

: any of several Old World perennial herbs (genus Cheiranthus) of the mustard family

especially : a hardy erect herb (C. cheiri) widely cultivated for its showy fragrant flowers

b

: any of a related genus (Erysimum) of herbs with showy flowers

2

a

: a person who from shyness or unpopularity remains on the sidelines of a social activity (such as a dance)

b

: a shy or reserved person

Illustration of wallflower

• wallflower 1a

Synonyms

• introvert
• shrinking violet

Examples of wallflower in a Sentence

there were too many wallflowers at the party, so things never really got lively

Recent Examples on the Web

Athena Calderone interior designer Some of my earliest friends in New York remember me as a wallflower. —George Gurley, New York Times, 21 June 2024

The season’s showrunner, Jess Brownell, told TheWrap that Coughlan’s character shifts from being the wallflower to becoming the center of her own story. —Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 15 June 2024

The popular series will showcase wallflower Penelope Featherington's longtime crush on Colin Bridgerton and their romance story. —Joanna Moriello, New York Daily News, 14 June 2024

Her memoir alternates between vignettes of this restoration process—from uprooting obnoxious nettles to planting floors of wallflowers—and thoughtful research on the cultural significance of reconstructing Eden. —Maddie Bender, Scientific American, 14 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

wallflower

noun

wall·​flow·​er ˈwȯl-ˌflau̇(-ə)r 

: a person who from shyness or unpopularity remains alone (as at a dance)