peony

[ pee-uh-nee ]

noun

, plural pe·o·nies.

1. any of various plants or shrubs of the genus Paeonia, having large, showy flowers, as the widely cultivated species P. lactiflora: the state flower of Indiana.

peony

/ ˈpiːənɪ /

noun

1. any of various ranunculaceous shrubs and plants of the genus Paeonia, of Eurasia and North America, having large pink, red, white, or yellow flowers
2. the flower of any of these plants

Word History and Origins

Origin of peony¹

before 1000; Middle English < Late Latin peōnia, Latin paeōnia < Greek paiōnía peony, akin to Paiā́n paean; replacing Middle English pione < Anglo-French < Old French peone < Latin; replacing Old English peonie < Late Latin, Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of peony¹

Old English peonie, from Latin paeōnia, from Greek paiōnia; related to paiōnios healing, from paiōn physician

Example Sentences

Virginia artist Dongpei He, who is a native of China, paints peonies with a precision worthy of scientific illustration, but places the pink blossoms in loosely rendered environs.

From Washington Post

Peonies work well in sun-filled areas, although buy an established plant as they can take years to fully blossom.

From Washington Blade

More often than not, Peony went with green, choosing to take care of both herself and Rita.

From The Daily Beast

Her two previous novels, Snowflower and the Secret Fan and Peony in Love, were also bestsellers.

From The Daily Beast

Sophy stepped over the dividing line, and the two sisters walked away to the peony settlement.

From Project Gutenberg

They saw a band of silent maidens who stood in a wilderness of blossoming peony flowers, that grew to the waters edge.

From Project Gutenberg

All the peony bed was tossed about like a troubled sea, and the pink and white petals flew like foam.

From Project Gutenberg

I have in mind a woman who, some years ago, invested in a rare variety of Peony.

From Project Gutenberg

I was not going to be a peony flaunting among thrifty modest vetches.

From Project Gutenberg