wallflower

American  

[wawl-flou-er] / ˈwɔlˌflaʊ ər /

noun

1. a person who, because of shyness, unpopularity, or lack of a partner, remains at the side at a party or dance.

2. any person, organization, etc., that remains on or has been forced to the sidelines of any activity.

   The firm was a wallflower in this year's bidding for government contracts.

3. a European plant, Cheiranthus cheiri, of the mustard family, that, when growing wild on walls, cliffs, etc., has sweet-scented, usually yellow or orange flowers, but when cultivated has flowers varying in color from pale yellow to brown-red or purple.

4. any of several related plants of the genera Cheiranthus and Erysimum.

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wallflower British  

/ ˈwɔːlˌflaʊə /

noun

1. Also called: gillyflower.  a plant, Cheiranthus cheiri, of S Europe, grown for its clusters of yellow, orange, brown, red, or purple fragrant flowers and naturalized on old walls, cliffs, etc: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)

2. any of numerous other crucifers of the genera Cheiranthus and Erysimum, having orange or yellow flowers

3. informal a person who stays on the fringes of a dance or party on account of lacking a partner or being shy

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Etymology

Origin of wallflower

First recorded in 1570–80; wall + flower

Example Sentences

Vanderbilt, the former SEC wallflower, just posted the first 10-win season in its history.

From The Wall Street Journal

The humor comes off like a wallflower at a party who is racing with so many awkward thoughts that when it’s finally time to speak, they blurt out something rude.

From Los Angeles Times

In it, Streep’s character, a fading but indomitable Hollywood actress named Madeline Ashton, is reunited with her old friend, Hawn’s wallflower novelist Helen Sharp.

From New York Times

It’s also why this season of “Bridgerton,” which celebrates the allure of a character often overlooked as a wallflower, is so meaningful to Coughlan — and why she suspects it will resonate with so many viewers.

From Los Angeles Times

Some wallflowers also have red, white or purple blooms, and the plants will reseed to grow back in the spring.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• observer