sweet william

or sweet William

noun

1. a pink, Dianthus barbatus, having clusters of small, variously colored flowers.

sweet william

noun

1. a widely cultivated Eurasian caryophyllaceous plant, Dianthus barbatus, with flat clusters of white, pink, red, or purple flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of sweet william¹

First recorded in 1555–65

Example Sentences

Character: Sweet William, “what he lacks in intelligence he makes up for in tenderness”

From New York Times

Small had another UK chart placing in 1964 with Sweet William, which reached No 30, though that would be her only other Top 40 hit.

From The Guardian

In the wedding bouquet Connolly created for Kate Middleton’s 2011 wedding to Prince William, some white Sweet William blossoms were mixed in to symbolize gallantry.

From Seattle Times

In the wedding bouquet Connolly created for Kate Middleton’s 2011 wedding to Prince William, some white Sweet William blossoms were mixed in to symbolize gallantry.

From Washington Post

Peonies and flag lilies and poppies were blooming in people’s yards, and roses and sweet William, mountain laurel and bleeding heart.

From Literature