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flowery

C2
adjective

Pronunciation

UK

  • /flˈaʊəri/

US

  • /ˈflaʊəri/

Description

"Flowery" does not always mean covered with blossoms. It often describes language that is too decorated, with too many fancy words or details. Think of a speech or piece of writing that sounds pretty but says less than it should. A garden full of blooms can also be flowery in the literal sense. The word can sometimes describe a person's style too, especially if their clothes or manner seem very showy and decorative.

Examples

  1. 1

    Clothing

    She wore a flowery dress to the picnic.

  2. 2

    Interior design

    The guest room still has old flowery wallpaper.

  3. 3

    Overdecorated language

    The brochure is full of flowery language about "luxury" and "elegance."

    • Phrase

      flowery language

      language that sounds too decorated or formal

  4. 4

    Insincere apology

    His apology was so flowery that it didn't feel honest.

  5. 5

    Editing style

    The editor asked her to make the introduction less flowery and more direct.

See also

adjectiveoverly ornate or elaborate in style, especially language

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • flowery language
  • flowery prose
  • flowery speech

Word family

  • floweriness

Explore

  • rhetorical style
  • embellishment

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • floweryadjective