rose

¹

[ rohz ]

noun

1. any of the wild or cultivated, usually prickly-stemmed, pinnate-leaved, showy-flowered shrubs of the genus Rosa. Compare rose family.
2. any of various related or similar plants.
3. the flower of any such shrub, of a red, pink, white, or yellow color.
4. the traditional reddish color of this flower, variously a purplish red, pinkish red, or light crimson.
5. an ornament shaped like or suggesting this flower.
6. a pink or pinkish-red color in the cheek.
7. rose window.
8. Heraldry. a representation of a wild rose with five petals, usually seeded and barbed in a symmetrical design and used especially as the cadency mark of a seventh son.
9. any of various diagrams showing directions radiating from a common center, as a compass card or wind rose.
10. Jewelry.
    1. an obsolete gem style or cut, flat on the bottom and having an upper side with from 12, or fewer, to 32 triangular facets.
    2. a gem with this cut.
11. a perforated cap or plate, as at the end of a pipe or the spout of a watering pot, to break a flow of water into a spray.
12. an ornamental plate or socket surrounding the shaft of a doorknob at the face of a door.
13. Mathematics. a plane polar curve consisting of three or more equal loops that meet at the origin. Equation: r = a sin( nθ ) or r = a cos( nθ ).

adjective

1. of the color rose.
2. for, containing, or growing roses:

   a rose garden.

3. scented like a rose.

verb (used with object)

, rosed, ros·ing.

1. to make rose-colored.
2. to flush (the face, cheeks, etc.).

rose

²

[ rohz ]

verb

1. simple past tense of rise.
2. Nonstandard. a past participle of rise.

rosé

³

[ roh-zey ]

noun

1. a pale pink wine resembling white wine in taste, made from red grapes by removing the skins from the must before fermentation is completed.

Rose

⁴

[ rohz ]

noun

1. Billy, 1899–1966, U.S. theatrical producer.
2. Peter Edward PeteCharlie Hustle, born 1941, U.S. baseball player.
3. Mount, a mountain in W Nevada, the highest in the Carson Range. 10,778 feet (3,285 meters).
4. a female given name.

rose

¹

/ rəʊz /

noun

1. 1. any shrub or climbing plant of the rosaceous genus Rosa , typically having prickly stems, compound leaves, and fragrant flowers
   2. ( in combination )

      rosebush

      rosetree

2. the flower of any of these plants
3. any of various similar plants, such as the rockrose and Christmas rose
4. 1. a moderate purplish-red colour; purplish pink
   2. ( as adjective )

      rose paint

5. a rose, or a representation of one, as the national emblem of England
6. jewellery
   1. a cut for a diamond or other gemstone, having a hemispherical faceted crown and a flat base
   2. a gem so cut
7. a perforated cap fitted to the spout of a watering can or the end of a hose, causing the water to issue in a spray
8. a design or decoration shaped like a rose; rosette
9. Also calledceiling rose electrical engineering a circular boss attached to a ceiling through which the flexible lead of an electric-light fitting passes
10. history See red rose white rose
11. bed of roses
    a situation of comfort or ease
12. under the rose
    in secret; privately; sub rosa

verb

1. tr to make rose-coloured; cause to blush or redden

rose

²

/ rəʊz /

verb

1. the past tense of rise

rosé

³

/ ˈrəʊzeɪ /

noun

1. any pink wine, made either by removing the skins of red grapes after only a little colour has been extracted or by mixing red and white wines

Derived Forms

• ˈroseˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• rose·less adjective
• rose·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rose¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English rōse, from Latin rosa; possibly via Etruscan ruze, rusi, a noun of uncertain meaning, from Greek rhodéa “rosebush,” from rhódon “rose”

Origin of rose²

First recorded in 1425–75; from French: literally, “pink”; the variant blush wine first recorded in 1980–85

Word History and Origins

Origin of rose¹

Old English, from Latin rosa , probably from Greek rhodon rose

Origin of rose²

C19: from French, literally: pink, from Latin rosa rose ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. come out smelling like a rose, to escape negative consequences, especially to find one’s good reputation unaffected by a bad situation or scandalous association.
2. come up roses, to turn out all right; result in success, glory, or profit:

   Despite setbacks, things should come up roses in the long run.

More idioms and phrases containing rose

see bed of roses ; come up roses ; see through rose-colored glasses .

Example Sentences

Everyone in her group was laden with two or three cone-shaped bundles — a couple dozen each of ranunculus, sweet peas, lisianthus, Queen Anne’s lace, spray roses and large roses in ivory and white.

From Los Angeles Times

When Johnson rose from relative obscurity to the Speaker position, one of the few pieces of information that journalists dug up was that he had been in a documentary about "purity balls" in 2015.

From Salon

The revelation of E.On's bill error comes after the latest official figures show inflation rose as a result of higher energy prices.

From BBC

Within 10 years, he rose to be president and chief executive of the firm.

From BBC

The World Health organization and CDC reported only a few days ago that measles cases rose last year to 10.3 million people worldwide, a 20% increase over 2022, largely due to shrinking vaccine coverage.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• red

More About Rose

What does rose mean?

The rose is a bulbous, fragrant flower that comes in many different varieties and colors, including red, white, pink, and yellow. They are among the world’s most popular and best-known flowers.

The word rose can also refer to the plant on which roses grow, a shrub that’s commonly called a rosebush. Most rose plants are perennial shrubs. Roses are known for having sharp thorns on their stems.

Roses belong to the genus Rosa, which includes many different species and  cultivated varieties. Roses are popular in gardens, especially formal ones.

The kind of roses most commonly given as gifts are called hybrid tea roses. These are especially given as a symbol of romantic love, such as on special occasions like anniversaries or Valentine’s Day.

Different colors of roses are said to symbolize different things, especially when given as gifts. While all roses are associated with romantic love, red roses have an especially strong association. White roses can be used to represent innocence, while yellow roses can be used to represent friendship.

The rose is one of the June birth flowers (a flower that’s associated with a particular month in the same way as a birthstone).

The word rose is also used to refer to a color—variously a pinkish red, a purplish red, or a dark crimson (all of which can be colors of roses). The related adjective rosy is used to describe a reddish or pinkish tinge, often of skin, as in rosy cheeks.

Unrelatedly, the word rose is also the past tense of the verb rise.

Example: I know that sending a dozen red roses is a cliché, but my wife loves them.

Where does rose come from?

The first records of the word rose come from before the year 900. It comes from the Latin rosa, which is related to rhódon, the ancient Greek name for a rose.

Roses are native to different locations in Asia and other places throughout the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, northern Africa, and Europe.

The rose has widespread cultural significance around the world. It is the national flower of England and is the state flower of New York, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Georgia.

Several idioms and expressions contain the word rose. To stop and smell the roses is to take time to enjoy life and its simple pleasures. To look at something through rose-colored glasses is to view a situation in an idealized way, without seeing any negative aspects. The expression every rose has its thorn means that even beautiful things or positive experiences have flaws. To come up smelling like roses is to emerge unscathed from a negative situation.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to rose?

• rosy (adjective)

What are some words that share a root or word element with rose? 

• rosebush
• rosebud
• rose water
• rhododendron

What are some words that often get used in discussing rose?

• flower
• bouquet
• red
• pink
• yellow
• white
• garden
• love
• color

How is rose used in real life?

Roses are one of the most popular flowers to give as gifts. The rose has widespread cultural and symbolic significance and is especially associated with romantic love.

#Roses are in bloom here at Hyde Hall in our Rose Garden and along the Rope Rose Walk. Enjoy a relaxing stroll in these areas to take in the delicate floral scents and range of vibrant colours! Plan your visit: https://t.co/ayppQ4dX2i pic.twitter.com/cHYoErc0B5

— RHS Garden Hyde Hall (@RHSHydeHall) June 17, 2020

Been having some tough times and I came home yesterday to a nice bouquet of roses 🌹 #thelittlethings pic.twitter.com/6OS86wi56l

— One Step At A Time (@1_simone_1) May 15, 2021

People think love is about romance and a single red rose and Instagram ready sunsets.

It's not.

Life with an elderly dog and a new baby has shown me the true substance of love.

It's poop.

And the cleaning up thereof.

— Katherine Howe (@katherinebhowe) December 2, 2019

Try using rose!

True or False?

When referring to a color, the word rose can refer to a pinkish red, a purplish red, or a dark crimson.