flowery

American  

[flou-uh-ree] / ˈflaʊ ə ri /

adjective

flowerier, floweriest

1. covered with or having many flowers.

2. decorated with floral designs.

3. rhetorically ornate or precious.

   flowery language.

   Synonyms:

   elaborate, showy, florid

4. resembling a flower in fragrance.

   a Rhine wine with a flowery aroma.

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flowery British  

/ ˈflaʊərɪ /

adjective

1. abounding in flowers

2. decorated with flowers or floral patterns

3. like or suggestive of flowers

   a flowery scent

4. (of language or style) elaborate; ornate

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Related Words

See bombastic.

Other Word Forms

• flowerily adverb
• floweriness noun
• unflowery adjective

Etymology

Origin of flowery

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; flower, -y ¹

Example Sentences

Mr. Mauch’s prose is not flowery, but direct, single-minded and determined, like the man himself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Because of this, she dressed in "soft, flowery, not particularly fashion-forward" clothes.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

But it takes a boat ride out there — ideally followed by a night of camping — to appreciate the island’s rugged bluffs, flowery meadows, raw beaches and sea caves.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2025

The denizens of Millionaire’s Row wore white linen, seersucker suits, flowery hats and expensive lace versus the short pants and bathing suits among those who lived in the infield.

From Salon • May 4, 2024

The flowery meads and bird-fruitful spinneys of the Arras teemed and rippled over the four walls.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White