Rowan Meaning
/ˈɹəʊ.ən/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounSorbus aucuparia, the European rowan.
nounAny of various small deciduous trees or shrubs of genus Sorbus, belonging to the rose family, with pinnate leaves, corymbs of white flowers, and usually with orange-red berries.
Sentence Examples
Rowan berries are very sour.
Rowan loves building miniature figurines of fantastical creatures and machines.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The garden had a beautiful ____ tree with clusters of red berries in the fall.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ tree in the garden produced clusters of bright red berries in autumn.
Word Origin & History
Originally Scots and northern English, from Middle English ron, rone, compare also Northern English raan, ran. At first referring to its fruits, of North Germanic origin, from Old Norse reynir. Also related to Norwegian Bokmål rogn, Danish røn. Ultimately related to the root of red.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Among the pines grew rowans hung with scarlet berries, and bilberry bushes whose leaves would be fair game for white moth caterpillars in spring."
— 2020 February 25, Christopher de Bellaigue, “The end of farming?”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 06 Jan 2026:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The garden had a beautiful ____ tree with clusters of red berries in the fall.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ tree in the garden produced clusters of bright red berries in autumn.