flowery

[ flou-uh-ree ]

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.

flowery

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈfloweriness, noun

Other Word Forms

• flower·i·ly adverb
• flower·i·ness noun
• un·flower·y adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of flowery¹

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

Synonym Study

See bombastic.

Example Sentences

It felt simple, real and far more me than any flowery prose I could muster.

From Salon

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

But Vic-E helped me pick out this cute flowery dress that’s got me feeling as if I belong wherever I go.

From Literature

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

Although there were many similarities between the chemicals wafting from teens and tots, the differences tended to favor the younger children, whose body odor samples had higher levels of a compound with a flowery fragrance.

From New York Times