sweet william

American  

Or sweet William

noun

1. a pink, Dianthus barbatus, having clusters of small, variously colored flowers.

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sweet william British  

noun

1. a widely cultivated Eurasian caryophyllaceous plant, Dianthus barbatus, with flat clusters of white, pink, red, or purple flowers

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Etymology

Origin of sweet william

First recorded in 1555–65

Example Sentences

Character: Sweet William, “what he lacks in intelligence he makes up for in tenderness”

From New York Times

Small had another UK chart placing in 1964 with Sweet William, which reached No 30, though that would be her only other Top 40 hit.

From The Guardian

In the wedding bouquet Connolly created for Kate Middleton’s 2011 wedding to Prince William, some white Sweet William blossoms were mixed in to symbolize gallantry.

From Washington Post

Maintenance crews arrived the next day to find Sweet William dead in his pen.

From Seattle Times

WLNE-TV reports Mystic Aquarium’s rescue team released the nine-month old harbor seal named Sweet William into the ocean at Blue Shutters Beach Thursday.

From Seattle Times