noun
-
a bunch of flowers, esp a large carefully arranged one
-
Also called: nose. the characteristic aroma or fragrance of a wine or liqueur
-
a compliment or expression of praise
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of bouquet
1710–20; < French: bunch, originally thicket, grove; Old French bosquet, equivalent to bosc wood (< Germanic; see bosk, bush 1) + -et -et
Explanation
A bouquet is an arrangement of flowers. A simple bouquet of flowers from your garden makes a lovely centerpiece for your table or a nice hostess gift when you are a guest. The word bouquet comes from the Old French term meaning "clump of trees." Because it would be difficult for a bride to lug a clump of trees down the aisle at her wedding, thankfully the word now means "a small bunch of arranged flowers." Bouquet can also describe the scent of these flowers, or anything that is a blend of scents, like perfume or wine.
Vocabulary lists containing bouquet
The Nose Knows: Olfactory Vocabulary
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The snap showed their wedding rings along with a bouquet of flowers, with the caption: "Husband and wife".
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
It isn’t as if she doesn’t have several plans B. And it gives “Techniquely” a winningly informal bouquet, especially when the jokes fall flat and she collapses, mock-groaning, on the cutting board.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
Minutes later, a grateful customer gave her a bouquet of pink peonies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
A bottle of shampoo, cold medicine, a bouquet, a midnight snack, or even diapers can now arrive at an apartment door in roughly the time it takes to watch a sitcom.
From Barron's ● May 23, 2026
Beside her stood an ornate table featuring three tiny golden bottles etched with Mrs. Baudelaire's emblem—a bouquet of flowers tied together by a serpent—and a pile of lace handkerchiefs and three glass rods.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
Since the crash, he said, his hospital room has been filled with people — and giant bouquets of flowers — supporting him in his recovery.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026
Crowds waved bouquets and flags before the Chinese leader arrived at the Kim Il Sung Square in central Pyongyang, near giant portraits of the two leaders.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 8, 2026
Hoan worked from the same slab of concrete for a decade, eking out a modest living hawking colourful bouquets.
From Barron's ● Jun. 2, 2026
Tables were dressed in green linens and had seasonal spring bouquets featuring butterfly ranunculus, phlox, and lily of the valley.
From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026
Another is hot pink, with candy-colored rockets arranged in bouquets on its counter.
From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
