cauliflower

American  

[kaw-luh-flou-er, -lee-, kol-uh-, kol-ee-] / ˈkɔ ləˌflaʊ ər, -li-, ˈkɒl ə-, ˈkɒl i- /

noun

1. a form of cultivated plant, Brassica oleracea botrytis, of the mustard family, whose inflorescence forms a compact, usually whitish head.

2. this head, used as a vegetable.

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cauliflower British  

/ ˈkɒlɪˌflaʊə /

noun

1. a variety of cabbage, Brassica oleracea botrytis, having a large edible head of crowded white flowers on a very short thick stem

2. the flower head of this plant, used as a vegetable

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Etymology

Origin of cauliflower

1590–1600; < Latin cauli ( s ) cole + flower; replacing coleflorie < Italian ca ( v ) olfiore, equivalent to cavol cole + fiore < Latin flōri- (stem of flōs ) flower

Explanation

Cauliflower is a distinctive white vegetable that's related to broccoli and cabbage. Many Indian dishes include cauliflower. A head of cauliflower is made up of many dense, white, flower-like clusters, and occasionally cauliflower comes in varieties that are slightly purple or green. Cauliflower can be eaten raw, steamed, roasted, grilled or sauteed. In the 1590s, it was originally called cole florye, from the Italian cavoli fiori, "flowered cabbage."

Example Sentences

Over ghee-roasted cauliflower, I tell him about Burnout Circle.

From Slate • May 10, 2026

Cabbage has long been forgotten among its cruciferous counterparts — broccoli, cauliflower and kohlrabi.

From Salon • Feb. 21, 2026

The company’s menu currently has a handful of different wings, including bone-in and boneless and one made of cauliflower.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

Rich dietary sources include eggs, poultry, fish, beans and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprouts.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2025

Today we make five pounds of shrimp, some clams on the half shell, four vegetable trays with broccoli, cauliflower, celery and carrots, and three trays of mushroom vol-au-vents.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King