buttonhole

[ buht-n-hohl ]

noun

1. the hole, slit, or loop through which a button is passed and by which it is secured.
2. Chiefly British. a boutonniere.
3. Surgery. a short, straight incision through the wall of a cavity or a canal.

verb (used with object)

, but·ton·holed, but·ton·hol·ing.

1. to sew with a buttonhole stitch.
2. to make buttonholes in.
3. to hold by the buttonhole or otherwise abruptly detain (someone) in conversation:

   The reporter tried to buttonhole the mayor for a statement on the bus strike.

buttonhole

/ ˈbʌtənˌhəʊl /

noun

1. a slit in a garment, etc, through which a button is passed to fasten two surfaces together
2. a flower or small bunch of flowers worn pinned to the lapel or in the buttonhole, esp at weddings, formal dances, etc US nameboutonniere

verb

1. to detain (a person) in conversation
2. to make buttonholes in
3. to sew with buttonhole stitch

Other Words From

• button·holer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of buttonhole¹

First recorded in 1555–65; button + hole

Example Sentences

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust told the BBC that while UK vascular access guidelines do not recommend buttonholing, they "do not specifically state that it is contraindicated".

From BBC

He calls himself a “conservative moderate” and argues he should not be buttonholed into conventional labels, such as Trump’s Make America Great Again political movement.

From Seattle Times

They relied on Griffin, who utilized her thick Rolodexes and neighborhood connections to buttonhole politicians, community members and others to fight.

From Los Angeles Times

He has said he should not be buttonholed into conventional labels, such as former President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again political movement.

From Seattle Times

But she buttonholed other senators for input, and wrote a ban on 19 weapons and on ammunition clips that held more than 10 bullets.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assail
• demand
• force
• petition
• push
• squeeze
• sue
• urge
• worry