WALLFLOWER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does wallflower mean? 

• WALLFLOWER (noun)
  The noun WALLFLOWER has 3 senses:

1. any of numerous plants of the genus Erysimum having fragrant yellow or orange or brownish flowers

2. perennial of southern Europe having clusters of fragrant flowers of all colors especially yellow and orange; often naturalized on old walls or cliffs; sometimes placed in genus Erysimum

3. remains on sidelines at social event

  Familiarity information: WALLFLOWER used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WALLFLOWER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Any of numerous plants of the genus Erysimum having fragrant yellow or orange or brownish flowers

Classified under:

Nouns denoting plants

Hypernyms ("wallflower" is a kind of...):

flower (a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "wallflower"):

Cheiranthus allionii; Erysimum allionii; Siberian wall flower (showy erect biennial or short-lived perennial cultivated for its terminal racemes of orange-yellow flowers; sometimes placed in genus Cheiranthus)

Holonyms ("wallflower" is a member of...):

Erysimum; genus Erysimum (large genus of annual or perennial herbs some grown for their flowers and some for their attractive evergreen leaves; Old World and North America)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Perennial of southern Europe having clusters of fragrant flowers of all colors especially yellow and orange; often naturalized on old walls or cliffs; sometimes placed in genus Erysimum

Classified under:

Nouns denoting plants

Synonyms:

Cheiranthus cheiri; Erysimum cheiri; wallflower

Hypernyms ("wallflower" is a kind of...):

flower (a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms)

Holonyms ("wallflower" is a member of...):

Cheiranthus; genus Cheiranthus (Old World perennial plants grown for their showy flowers)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Remains on sidelines at social event

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("wallflower" is a kind of...):

shrinking violet; shy person (someone who shrinks from familiarity with others)