flowery

flowery — adjective

1. having a pattern or design that shows flowers, like the kind found on fabrics, w

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

having a pattern or design that shows flowers, like the kind found on fabrics, wallpaper, or clothing — for example, a summer dress covered in painted roses or a sofa with a rose-print cushion cover.

Example

Élise wore a flowery dress to the summer wedding in the garden.

attributive: flowery + clothing noun

The old sofa still looked cheerful with its faded flowery fabric.

Common collocations
  • flowery dress
  • flowery fabric
  • flowery wallpaper
  • flowery curtains
  • flowery pattern
  • flowery print
  • flowery tablecloth
Synonyms
  • floral

    more formal and widely used for patterns, prints, and scents; 'floral print' is more common than 'flowery print'

  • flowered

    very similar but slightly less common; 'flowered wallpaper' and 'flowery wallpaper' are both used

Antonyms
  • plain

    without any pattern or decoration

Grammar Patterns

flowery + noun (dress, fabric, wallpaper, pattern)

Usage Note

This sense is almost always used before a noun (attributive position). It describes the surface look of an object, not its material or function.

Common Mistakes

The garden was very flowery in spring.
The garden was full of flowers in spring.
'flowery' means 'decorated with flower patterns,' not 'covered in real flowers.'

2. using long, impressive-sounding words in writing or speech, making the style see

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

using long, impressive-sounding words in writing or speech, making the style seem overly complex rather than natural and direct — for example, a wedding invitation that says 'we cordially beseech your esteemed presence' instead of 'please come.'

Example

The politician's flowery speech did not convince the tired voters.

typically negative or critical tone

Emre's writing teacher told him to avoid flowery language and be more direct.

Common collocations
  • flowery language
  • flowery speech
  • flowery words
  • flowery descriptions
  • flowery style
  • flowery compliments
  • flowery prose
Synonyms
  • ornate

    neutral or slightly positive; can describe beautiful decoration without the negative tone of 'flowery'

  • florid

    stronger disapproval, suggesting the writing is exaggerated or unhealthy in style

  • elaborate

    neutral; describes thorough detail without carrying disapproval

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

flowery + noun (language, speech, words, style, description)

be + flowery

Usage Note

This sense is almost always critical or disapproving. It is common in reviews of writing, speeches, advertisements, and official messages. Unlike 'ornate' or 'elaborate,' which can be neutral or positive, 'flowery' is nearly always negative.

Common Mistakes

Her writing is very poetic and flowery (as a compliment).
Her writing is very poetic and vivid.
'flowery' is negative; use 'poetic,' 'vivid,' or 'elegant' for praise.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All three words describe things decorated with flower patterns, but they differ in formality and use. 'Floral' is the most common and neutral choice — it appears in fashion magazines ('floral print,' 'floral design') and works for both patterns and scents. 'Flowered' is less frequent and feels slightly more literal, as in 'flowered wallpaper' or 'flowered curtains.' 'Flowery' is the most informal of the three and can sound slightly old-fashioned or even dismissive ('a flowery old dress'). Use 'floral' for everyday descriptions, 'flowered' for emphasising the literal presence of flowers, and 'flowery' only when the informal tone fits the context.

floral ↗floweredflowery ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

'Flowery' comes from 'flower' (a plant's blossom) plus the suffix '-y,' meaning 'full of' or 'having the qualities of.' 'Flower' entered English from Old French 'flor' or 'flour,' which came from Latin 'flos' (genitive 'floris'). The word first appeared in Middle English as 'flour' or 'flower.' The two main meanings — literally covered with flowers, and figuratively overloaded with decoration — developed by the 16th century, following a pattern common in English where words for beautiful physical things later describe elaborate or excessive style.