wallflower

[ wawl-flou-er ]

noun

1. a person who, because of shyness, unpopularity, or lack of a partner, remains at the side at a party or dance.
2. any person, organization, etc., that remains on or has been forced to the sidelines of any activity:

   The firm was a wallflower in this year's bidding for government contracts.

3. a European plant, Cheiranthus cheiri, of the mustard family, that, when growing wild on walls, cliffs, etc., has sweet-scented, usually yellow or orange flowers, but when cultivated has flowers varying in color from pale yellow to brown-red or purple.
4. any of several related plants of the genera Cheiranthus and Erysimum.

wallflower

/ ˈwɔːlˌflaʊə /

noun

1. Also calledgillyflower a plant, Cheiranthus cheiri, of S Europe, grown for its clusters of yellow, orange, brown, red, or purple fragrant flowers and naturalized on old walls, cliffs, etc: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)
2. any of numerous other crucifers of the genera Cheiranthus and Erysimum, having orange or yellow flowers
3. informal.
   a person who stays on the fringes of a dance or party on account of lacking a partner or being shy

Word History and Origins

Origin of wallflower¹

First recorded in 1570–80; wall + flower

Example Sentences

Until now, her character, Penelope Featherington, has been content to be a wallflower in the ballrooms of Regency London, allowing her to observe and secretly write a society scandal sheet under the pseudonym Lady Whistledown.

From Los Angeles Times

Some wallflowers also have red, white or purple blooms, and the plants will reseed to grow back in the spring.

From Los Angeles Times

McInerny gives an especially strong performance as Sam’s dependable sister — a wallflower who delivers the most incendiary line of the play.

From New York Times

Audiences rallied behind her relatable Toula Portokalos, a wallflower Chicago waitress who straightened both her hair and her spine despite the protests of her domineering family.

From New York Times

Should we feel bad for the wallflowers, Oregon State and Washington State, who now become the tragic twosome?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• observer