zinnia

American  

[zin-ee-uh] / ˈzɪn i ə /

noun

1. any of several composite plants of the genus Zinnia, native to Mexico and adjacent areas, especially the widely cultivated species Z. elegans, having variously colored, many-rayed flower heads.

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zinnia British  

/ ˈzɪnɪə /

noun

1. any annual or perennial plant of the genus Zinnia, of tropical and subtropical America, having solitary heads of brightly coloured flowers: family Asteraceae (composites)

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Etymology

Origin of zinnia

1760–70; < New Latin, named after J. G. Zinn (1727–59), German botanist; -ia

Example Sentences

The Untermyer “last-minute surprises” list recently included Zinderella Peach, a zinnia whose blooms look more like a scabiosa’s.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 18, 2023

The holiday-friendly Noah Dress in hibiscus zinnia stripe from Christy Dawn features a V-neck, tiered skirt and three-quarter sleeves.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 4, 2021

With a zinnia or marigold, seed forms in the fading flower’s base, “so when its petals are falling, it’s getting to be time,” he said.

From New York Times • Sep. 16, 2020

The project has had success growing three types of lettuce, Chinese cabbage, red Russian kale, mizuna mustard and zinnia flowers in space.

From The Guardian • Jun. 7, 2020

The graduates seem to have been looking elsewhere when they pinned the rose, zinnia, or chrysanthemum on their precise black dresses.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston