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

Most in the Monterey Hills community signed in favor of removal, said Nitzani, who contends there were also a “few bleeding hearts.”

From Los Angeles Times

“The fact that these bleeding hearts get on here and try, once again, to destroy the American way of life is pathetic,” said Jackie Cota, president of the Tri-Valley Republicans and a Livermore resident.

From Los Angeles Times

Its connotations fall somewhere between “bleeding heart” and “treacherous hypocrite.”

From New York Times

Sardonic, hard-nosed Jen and flighty, bleeding heart Judy are returning after more than two years, so fans may need a binge-watch refresher on their high jinks.

From Los Angeles Times

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