bluebell

American  

[bloo-bel] / ˈbluˌbɛl /

noun

1. any of numerous plants of the bellflower family, having blue, bell-shaped flowers, as a bellflower or harebell.

2. Also called wood hyacinth.  an Old World plant, Endymion non-scriptus, of the lily family, having blue, bell-shaped flowers.

3. any of various other plants having blue flowers, as those of the genus Mertensia.

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bluebell British  

/ ˈbluːˌbɛl /

noun

1. Also called: wild hyacinth.   wood hyacinth.  a European liliaceous woodland plant, Hyacinthoides (or Endymion ) non-scripta , having a one-sided cluster of blue bell-shaped flowers

2. Also called: Spanish bluebell.  a similar and related plant, hispanica , widely grown in gardens and becoming naturalized

3. a Scot name for harebell

4. any of various other plants with blue bell-shaped flowers

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Other Word Forms

• bluebelled adjective

Etymology

Origin of bluebell

First recorded in 1570–80; blue + bell ¹

Example Sentences

From the world-famous Keukenhof garden in the Netherlands to the magical bluebell Hallerbos forest in Belgium, they are out there again, almost on cue to enthrall, enthuse and soothe the mind.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 17, 2023

These plants were the top species magnets: black willow, a goldenrod named Euthamia graminifolia, Virginia bluebell and New York ironweed.

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2021

She started the day smelling like a bluebell, then became enamored with the combination of incense and cedar.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 25, 2016

A cabin in a bluebell wood has been selected by naturalist and cameraman Simon King as the winning photograph in the Woodland Trust's annual competition.

From BBC • Aug. 26, 2013

The girl picked herself up and pulled a bluebell out of her hair.

From "1984" by George Orwell