boutonniere

[ boot-n-eer, boo-tuhn-yair ]

noun

1. a flower or small bouquet worn, usually by a man, in the buttonhole of a lapel.

boutonniere

/ ˌbʊtɒnɪˈɛə /

noun

1. another name for buttonhole

Word History and Origins

Origin of boutonniere¹

1875–80; < French boutonnière buttonhole ( bouton button + -ière suffix for things that facilitate the use of that denoted by the stem < Latin -āria -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of boutonniere¹

C19: from French: buttonhole, from bouton button

Example Sentences

As homecomings go, it was one bloody boutonniere.

From Los Angeles Times

Sitting in his parents’ backyard in mid-May, he showed off pictures of Baby Elliott, then 9 months old, at prom the night before, wearing a tiny floral boutonniere Walton had made in an agriculture class.

From Los Angeles Times

Some have gradient hues or stripes and can be bigger than your hand or as dainty as boutonnieres.

From Los Angeles Times

Floral notes elevated the looks, like forever boutonnieres giving life to garments in sequins, appliques, embroidery and graphic prints — never the same.

From Seattle Times

“You frequently saw men wearing boutonnieres with business suits and wide brim hats and their wide rayon ties,” says Cole, “and there’s this dapperness.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• garland
• pot
• vase
• wreath