carnation
Americannoun
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any of numerous cultivated varieties of the clove pink, Dianthus caryophyllus, having long-stalked, fragrant, usually double flowers in a variety of colors: the state flower of Ohio.
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pink; light red.
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Obsolete. the color of flesh.
adjective
noun
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Also called: clove pink. a Eurasian caryophyllaceous plant, Dianthus caryophyllus, cultivated in many varieties for its white, pink, or red flowers, which have a fragrant scent of cloves
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the flower of this plant
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a pink or reddish-pink colour
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( as adjective )
a carnation dress
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(often plural) a flesh tint in painting
Usage
What does carnation mean? A carnation is a fragrant flower that’s commonly reddish-pink but is found in a variety of colors, including white, pale pink, red, and even purple. Some varieties are striped. Another name for the carnation is clove pink. Its scientific name is Dianthus caryophyllus. Carnations are some of the most popular flowers to give as gifts. They are often given to mothers on Mother’s Day. Different colors of carnations are said to have different meanings when presented as gifts. For example, red carnations are said to represent longing or admiration. The carnation is the state flower of Ohio. It’s also the January birth flower (a flower that’s associated with a particular month in the same way as a birthstone). The word carnation can also be used as a word for a pink or light red color like that of the flower. Example: My prom corsage was made of lovely pink carnations.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of carnation
1525–35; < Late Latin carnātiōn- (stem of carnātiō ) fleshlikeness, hence flesh-color, equivalent to Latin carn- (stem of carō ) flesh + -ātiōn- -ation
Vocabulary lists containing carnation
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:
Gus Monday offers an architectural painting that drops a massive carnation into the middle of Oscar Niemeyer’s French Communist Party headquarters.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 27, 2026
“They’re violating our rights. It’s an injustice,” De Paz said, wearing a carnation yellow blouse and surrounded by more than 50 family members and friends.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2025
A new addition is a silhouette of a stemmed carnation set between the numerical birthyear.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 26, 2023
"My mother couldn't even put a carnation on his coffin. We couldn't hug her. It was barbaric."
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2023
His vest was open, his shirt rumpled and misbut- toned, his carnation wilted.
From "Typical American" by Gish Jen
Central Madrid was decked out with banners bearing the pope's face and thousands of white and yellow carnations, matching the Vatican flag's colours.
From Barron's ● Jun. 7, 2026
The comedian sent a bouquet of roses and carnations to Wood, which she shared to Instagram.
From Salon ● Apr. 17, 2025
By Moscow's "Wall of Grief" - a memorial to the victims of Stalin-era political repression - I watch Russians laying roses and carnations, and lighting candles in memory of the opposition leader.
From BBC ● Feb. 17, 2024
White carnations dotted every room and were stenciled on some walls, signifying a tradition after Sounders matches where players handed the flower out to fans.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 13, 2024
They worked their way through the dining area, lifting tablecloths and peering under chairs, scrutinizing wall hangings and the small clusters of carnations on every table.
From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
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.
