Flowery Meaning
/ˈflaʊəɹi/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjPertaining to or characteristic of flowers.
adjDecorated with or abundant in flowers.
Sentence Examples
No flowery path guides to glory.
Mary wore a flowery skirt.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her dress had a ____ print, covered with tiny pink and yellow blossoms.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She appreciated the ____ scent of the perfume, which reminded her of a spring afternoon.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English floury, equivalent to flower + -y (adjectival suffix). Piecewise doublet of floury.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"“Sir you are mistaken—I am not——.” But before he could say ‘a girl,’ this ancient period-strumpet of a bedizened man (upon a pattern drawn from a time of swords and silk, when men were in their floweriest scent—savagely tattooed with braid—intoxicated with their own snuff—forever on tiptoe—disgusted with the mannish—wooing Woman after the fashion of women) burst in and silenced him, […]"
— 1930, Wyndham Lewis, “Dan at the Assembly”, in The Apes of God, New York, N.Y.: Robert M[edill] McBride & Company, published 1932, →OCLC, part XII (Lord Osmund’s Lenten Party), page 464:
"At last she reached a flowery knoll, at whose feet ran a little burn, shaded with woodbine and wild roses; and there she sat down, burying her face in her hands."
— 1879, William Henderson, Notes on the folk-lore of the northern counties of England and the borders:
"My accusers, then, as I maintain, have said little or nothing that is true, but from me you shall hear the whole truth; not, I can assure you, gentlemen, in flowery language like theirs, decked out with fine words and phrases; […]"
— 1954, Plato, translated by Hugh Tredennick, “Socrates on Trial: The Apology”, in The Last Days of Socrates (Penguin Classics), Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin Books, →OCLC, page 19:
"Although flowery actions are used in the plays of the 1890s, waving arms, wringing hands, and pleading with outstretched arms would be unsuitable in plays about modern life."
— 1972, Miriam A[nna] Franklin, “Use of Hands and Feet”, in Rehearsal: The Principles and Practice of Acting for the Stage, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, →ISBN, part II (Sharpening Theater Tools), chapter 4 (Language of Action), page 60:
"“Miss, it would be my great pleasure to escort you and your uncle to supper this evening.” Sasha stifled her desire to roll her eyes at his flowery actions, but the fact that he omitted inviting Jim irritated her."
— 2007, Vickie McDonough, “A Wealth Beyond Riches”, in Oklahoma Brides: Dreams Come Full Circle in Three Prairie Romances, Uhrichsville, Okla.: Barbour Publishing, published [2008], →ISBN, chapter 7, page 275:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her dress had a ____ print, covered with tiny pink and yellow blossoms.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She appreciated the ____ scent of the perfume, which reminded her of a spring afternoon.