wallflower

noun

wall·​flow·​er ˈwȯl-ˌflau̇(-ə)r 

1

: any of several Old World perennial herbs (genus Erysimum synonym Cheiranthus) of the mustard family

especially : a hardy erect herb (E. cheiri synonym C. cheiri) widely cultivated for its showy fragrant flowers

2

a

: a person who from shyness or unpopularity remains on the sidelines of a social activity (such as a dance)

b

: a shy or reserved person

Illustration of wallflower

• wallflower 1a

Synonyms

• introvert
• shrinking violet

Examples of wallflower in a Sentence

there were too many wallflowers at the party, so things never really got lively

Recent Examples on the Web

Heathers follows wallflower Veronica Sawyer, who is taken under the wing of the popular yet acid-hearted Heather Chandler (played by the late Kim Walker in the movie) and her two minions: Heather Duke (the late Shannen Doherty) and Heather McNamara (Lisanne Falk). —Jen Juneau, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025

Woods stars as Louise, who transforms from timid wallflower into the famed burlesque dancer known as Gypsy Rose Lee. —Kristen Tauer, WWD, 20 Jan. 2025

And Nubia Monks brilliantly brings this poetry-reciting wallflower into bloom, aided by assertiveness training from Angela Wildflower’s tough-as-nails Silver. —Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 14 Feb. 2025

In June 2024, Coughlan reprised her role in Bridgerton's third season as Penelope Featherington — the shy wallflower and now not-so-secret writer, Lady Whisteldown. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for wallflower

• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower
• manpower
• mayflower
• safflower
• sunflower
• watchtower
• wildflower

Kids Definition

wallflower

noun

wall·​flow·​er ˈwȯl-ˌflau̇(-ə)r 

: a person who from shyness or unpopularity remains alone (as at a dance)