cornflower

[ kawrn-flou-er ]

noun

1. Also called bachelor's-button, bluebottle. a European composite plant, Centaurea cyanus, growing in grainfields, having blue to white flower heads, often cultivated as an ornamental.
2. Also called cornflower blue. a deep, vivid blue.
3. corn cockle.
4. strawflower ( def 2 ).

cornflower

/ ˈkɔːnˌflaʊə /

noun

1. a Eurasian herbaceous plant, Centaurea cyanus, with blue, purple, pink, or white flowers, formerly a common weed in cornfields: family Asteraceae (composites) Also calledbluebottle See also bachelor's-buttons

Word History and Origins

Origin of cornflower¹

First recorded in 1570–80; corn ¹ + flower

Example Sentences

Of course, in the fashion world, an item of clothing can't just be blue, so Laws says he thinks cornflower and cobalt blue will make a particular appearance across shows.

From BBC

In the resulting enigmatic dreamscapes, muted purples, cornflower blues and soft ochres bloom and spatter and fleck in surprising, delicate ways.

From Seattle Times

The color palette recalled a rainy day on the highlands: moss, brown, slate gray and maroon, cornflower blue, mustard.

From Seattle Times

Sold by the Cotswold Auction Company, it features scrolling foliage, Tudor Roses, cornflowers, daisies and fruit.

From BBC

A few years ago, Buchweitz tried to develop the cornflower blue as a colorant for the food industry, but it didn’t pan out.

From Science Magazine