carnation

[ kahr-ney-shuhn ]

noun

1. any of numerous cultivated varieties of the clove pink, Dianthus caryophyllus, having long-stalked, fragrant, usually double flowers in a variety of colors: the state flower of Ohio.
2. pink; light red.
3. Obsolete. the color of flesh.

adjective

1. having the color carnation.

carnation

/ kɑːˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. Also calledclove pink a Eurasian caryophyllaceous plant, Dianthus caryophyllus, cultivated in many varieties for its white, pink, or red flowers, which have a fragrant scent of cloves
2. the flower of this plant
3. 1. a pink or reddish-pink colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      a carnation dress

4. often plural a flesh tint in painting

Word History and Origins

Origin of carnation¹

1525–35; < Late Latin carnātiōn- (stem of carnātiō ) fleshlikeness, hence flesh-color, equivalent to Latin carn- (stem of carō ) flesh + -ātiōn- -ation

Word History and Origins

Origin of carnation¹

C16: from French: flesh colour, from Late Latin carnātiō fleshiness, from Latin carō flesh

Example Sentences

Justin, a 4-year-old West Highland terrier from Long Island, was having his face hair-sprayed into the shape of a carnation.

From The Daily Beast

He was carrying himself with less than his usual stoop, he wore a red carnation in his buttonhole.

From Project Gutenberg

Cannot you see the lovely Adele fastening the carnation to the lapel so that papa may be gay upon the street?

From Project Gutenberg

In Major Ellison's buttonhole there was a carnation and a rosebud backed by a geranium leaf.

From Project Gutenberg

While I think of it, I'll draw in a little mite of this red into my carnation pink.

From Project Gutenberg

The lips too are figured out; but where's the carnation dew, the pouting ripeness that tempts the taste in the original?

From Project Gutenberg