dahlia
Americannoun
-
dahlias
plural
-
any composite plant of the genus Dahlia, native to Mexico and Central America and widely cultivated for its showy, variously colored flower heads.
-
the flower or tuberous root of a dahlia.
-
a pale violet or amethyst color.
adjective
noun
-
any herbaceous perennial plant of the Mexican genus Dahlia , having showy flowers and tuberous roots, esp any horticultural variety derived from D. pinnata : family Asteraceae (composites)
-
the flower or root of any of these plants
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of dahlia
1791; < New Latin, named after Anders Dahl (died 1789), Swedish botanist; see -ia
Vocabulary lists containing dahlia
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:
“I didn’t want to completely lose my old self, but I wanted to let it wilt in a way,” they say, explaining how they saw themselves reflected in the dahlia.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 22, 2026
A total eclipse of the sun is said to look like a black dahlia or a monochrome sunflower.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 6, 2024
Named for the dahlia flower whose petals bloom in concentric arrays , the dahliagram's "petals" illustrate the relative impact of different pull and push factors contributing to human behavior over time.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 22, 2023
As the dahlia shows turn up, more and more people turn up.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2023
“Because you’re silly,” he said, tossing her the head of a flower, a wilted dahlia, which she jammed into her hair.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
He said the risk of frost would pass in the south soon, allowing "frost-tender plants" such as dahlias and tomatoes to be planted outside.
From BBC ● May 1, 2025
Meanwhile, dahlias cover a partially shaded area that Lee and Johnsen refer to as the pollinator garden.
From Seattle Times ● May 22, 2024
White marigolds and green onions are planted to help deter the skunks, raccoons and squirrels that like to pull out her dahlias.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2024
However, Mr Armitage said her "very striking" composition of red and orange late summer flowers, which included dahlias, crocosmia and rose hips, left judges "bowled over" with its technical quality.
From BBC ● Dec. 2, 2023
"I had a garden in Maine with dahlias and columbine. And nasturtiums the color of the sun when it sets. I don't know if nasturtiums would grow here."
From "Sarah, Plain and Tall" by Patricia MacLachlan
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