petal
noun
one of the often colored segments of the corolla of a flower.
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petal
1 American
[pet-l]
/ ˈpɛt l /
noun
-petal
2
American
petal
1
British
/ ˈpɛtəl /
noun
-petal
2
British
combining form
petal
Scientific
/ pĕt′l /
-
One of the often brightly colored parts of a flower surrounding the reproductive organs. Petals are attached to the receptacle underneath the carpels and stamens and may be separate or joined at their bases. As a group, the petals are called the corolla.
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See more at flower
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of petal1
1695–1705; < New Latin petalum petal, Latin: metal plate < Greek pétalon a thin plate, leaf, noun use of neuter of pétalos spread out, akin to petannýnai to be open, Latin patēre to stand open ( see patent)
Origin of -petal2
< New Latin -pet ( us ) seeking, derivative of Latin petere to seek + -al 1
Explanation
A petal is a part of a flower. Most flowers have a ring of brightly colored petals surrounding the center part of the blossom. Petal comes from the Greek word petalon, meaning "leaf, thin plate." A petal is the lovely colorful leaf-like ring around the center of the flower, a thin plate for a fairy. The petals make up a flower’s corolla, surrounding the center. You can rip them off one by one as you say, “She loves me, she loves me not” until the last petal is picked. She loves me!
Vocabulary lists containing petal
Commonly Confused Words, List 2
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Commonly Confused Words, List 4
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Commonly Confused Words, List 6
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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.
Floating like a flower petal in the spring breeze.
From Salon • Feb. 17, 2026
"Each piece of fabric, each petal, is made from different material. It was top-stitched to give the impression of veining," she said.
From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026
A petal power jar, $280; blues egg drop fruit bowl, $230; and petal reflection vase, $260.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 18, 2024
According to Vogue: “30 people were involved in the making of the look, and it took 8,500 hours to make with 60,000 crystals and 7,000 folded petal raffia and raw raffia frayed ravens”.
From BBC • May 6, 2024
The great puffy clouds that lined the horizon earlier, like boats lined up along a dock, are now streaked with equal parts gray, tangerine, and rose petal pink, the last colors of the day’s light.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
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.
