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

Etymology

Origin of bleeding heart

First recorded in 1685–95

Example Sentences

A mentor suggested that Newman recharge his bleeding heart by volunteering with Minsun Ji, founder of Denver’s first day laborers’ center.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2025

But caregivers have a constant bleeding heart, Rice said, even if that means taking a job that pays less than working at a fast-food restaurant.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 21, 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

“She was a symbol. She was mocked. She was looked upon by a lot of people as a prototypical liberal and bleeding heart, and she is that unapologetically.”

From Washington Post • May 11, 2021

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

From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos