bleeding heart

American  

noun

1. any of various plants belonging to the genus Dicentra, of the fumitory family, especially D. spectabilis, a common garden plant having long, one-sided clusters of rose or red heart-shaped flowers.

2. a person who makes an ostentatious or excessive display of pity or concern for others.

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bleeding heart British  

noun

1. any of several plants of the genus Dicentra , esp the widely cultivated Japanese species D. spectabilis , which has finely divided leaves and heart-shaped nodding pink flowers: family Fumariaceae

2. informal

   1. a person who is excessively softhearted

   2. ( as modifier )

      a bleeding-heart liberal

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Other Word Forms

• bleeding-heart
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of bleeding heart

First recorded in 1685–95

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bleeding heart

If Reilly was at times overbearing — and known for being the kind of hellacious boss who gave employees night sweats — he was also generous and a genuine bleeding heart.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026

Harry declares to Sally with a vulnerable, piercing and bleeding heart all the ways he loves and sees her for the person that she is — not just some consolation prize:

From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2023

Anyway, the first time I listened to this song as an idealistic teenager, it did my bleeding heart good.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 1, 2022

As “Valentine” so poignantly illustrates, the surest route out of a terrible feeling is straight through its bleeding heart.

From New York Times ● Nov. 5, 2021

The big red splotch on my shirt looked like a real bleeding heart.

From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos

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