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dianthus

American  
[dahy-an-thuhs] / daɪˈæn θəs /

noun

plural

dianthuses
  1. any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Dianthus, of the pink family, as the carnation or sweet william.


dianthus British  
/ daɪˈænθəs /

noun

  1. any Eurasian caryophyllaceous plant of the widely cultivated genus Dianthus , such as the carnation, pink, and sweet william

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of dianthus

< New Latin (Linnaeus) < Greek Di ( ós ) of Zeus (genitive of Zeús ) + ánthos flower

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She emphasizes each flower’s personality traits, describing green dianthus as a “Dr. Seuss” plant.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026

In the Trie Cloister, gentians, larkspur, poppies, foxglove and dianthus are among dozens of flowers rooted in medieval species.

From Washington Post • Jun. 9, 2020

Her D.I.Y. instructions for handmade marigolds, roses, dianthus and daffodils are meticulous.

From New York Times • Nov. 30, 2017

She passed the daisies and dianthus she’d just planted among the front yard’s ceramic mainstays: a sheep, a turtle with a flower on its back, a mama and a baby seal.

From Washington Times • Feb. 5, 2017

And on the river there floated boats of fresh flowers, the red dianthus and the campanula, golden rod and meadow-sweet.

From Japanese Fairy Tales by James, Grace