bluebell

noun

blue·​bell ˈblü-ˌbel 

1

: any of various bellflowers

especially : harebell

2

: any of various plants bearing blue bell-shaped flowers: such as

a

: a European herb (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) of the asparagus family having scapose racemes of drooping bell-shaped flowers

called also wild hyacinth

b

bluebells plural : a glabrous erect eastern U.S. herb (Mertensia virginica) of the borage family with entire leaves and showy blue flowers pink in the bud

called also Virginia bluebells

Examples of bluebell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Upon arrival, visitors can head to Silver Lake to spot massive mammals including elk, mountain goats and even moose, while the area also boasts colorful plant species like the mountain bluebell and elephant’s head—and of course, the surrounding region is also home to its fair share of birds. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

In Jilly Cooper’s world, men conquer, women sigh, the sun shines perpetually on pale-gold Cotswolds mansions with bluebells in bloom, and absolutely everyone is DTF, as the parlance goes. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 1 Nov. 2024

Spanish bluebells bloom in shades of blue, pink, and white and are most striking when planted in large drifts. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2024

In the spring, the mountains surrounding Vail are covered in pale blue bluebells, pink fireweed, vibrant paintbrush, and the purples of lupin and larkspur, among others. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bluebell

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel
• dispel

Kids Definition

bluebell

noun

blue·​bell ˈblü-ˌbel 

: any of various plants (as a harebell) with blue bell-shaped flowers