petal

noun

pet·​al ˈpe-tᵊl 

: one of the modified often brightly colored leaves of the corolla of a flower see flower illustration

petaled adjective

or petalled

ˈpe-tᵊld 

petallike

ˈpe-tᵊl-ˌ(l)īk 

adjective

Examples of petal in a Sentence

flowers with pink and white petals

Recent Examples on the Web

Rosa 'Catherine’s Rose' is a floribunda with coral-pink petals and a fragrance reminiscent of mango and Turkish delight candies. —Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2025

The Rudbeckia hirta — the plant’s scientific name — resembles a sunflower with its bright-yellow petals. —Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 12 May 2025

Provence is the home of the world’s perfume industry, centered around the picturesque town of Grasse, and that Riviera Rosé Gin’s 12 botanicals, including orris and angelica root, Citron de Menton lemon peel and zest, rose petals, and lavender are a nod to the local industry. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 9 May 2025

The flower petals are made from a silk fabric that feels soft to the touch and looks incredibly realistic. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 9 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin petalum, from Greek petalon; akin to Greek petannynai to spread out — more at fathom

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing petal

• banner petal
• standard petal

Rhymes for petal

• betel
• cetyl
• kettle
• metal
• mettle
• nettle
• setal
• settle
• diacetyl
• gunmetal
• nonmetal
• resettle

Kids Definition

petal

noun

pet·​al ˈpet-ᵊl 

: one of the often brightly colored modified leaves that make up the corolla of a flower

petaled adjective

or petalled

-ᵊld 

petallike

-ᵊl-ˌ(l)īk 

adjective