wallflower

American  

[wawl-flou-er] / ˈwɔlˌflaʊ ər /

noun

wallflowers plural

1. a person who, because of shyness, unpopularity, or lack of a partner, remains at the side at a party or dance.

2. any person, organization, etc., that remains on or has been forced to the sidelines of any activity.

   The firm was a wallflower in this year's bidding for government contracts.

3. a European plant, Cheiranthus cheiri, of the mustard family, that, when growing wild on walls, cliffs, etc., has sweet-scented, usually yellow or orange flowers, but when cultivated has flowers varying in color from pale yellow to brown-red or purple.

4. any of several related plants of the genera Cheiranthus and Erysimum.

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wallflower British  

/ ˈwɔːlˌflaʊə /

noun

1. Also called: gillyflower.  a plant, Cheiranthus cheiri, of S Europe, grown for its clusters of yellow, orange, brown, red, or purple fragrant flowers and naturalized on old walls, cliffs, etc: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)

2. any of numerous other crucifers of the genera Cheiranthus and Erysimum, having orange or yellow flowers

3. informal a person who stays on the fringes of a dance or party on account of lacking a partner or being shy

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• wallflowers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of wallflower

First recorded in 1570–80; wall + flower

Explanation

A wallflower is someone who's so shy that they typically stand or sit alone rather than engage with a larger group. If you tend to be introverted and a bit awkward at parties, you might describe yourself as a wallflower. A botanist would tell you that wallflowers are actual flowers; a relative of the cabbage, wallflowers are native to southern Europe and grow tiny blossoms of various colors. Figurative wallflowers are even more varied, including introverts, people with social anxiety, and extremely reserved folks. The stereotypical wallflower stands against the wall at a party, too shy to ask someone to dance. This meaning dates back to at least 1820.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wallflower wallflowers

They square the circle of Swift masterminding a full-scale trolling of media and fans while simultaneously hosting a cotton-candy celebrity circus where an awkward wallflower finally, triumphantly blooms.

From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026

Vanderbilt, the former SEC wallflower, just posted the first 10-win season in its history.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 24, 2025

The humor comes off like a wallflower at a party who is racing with so many awkward thoughts that when it’s finally time to speak, they blurt out something rude.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2025

In 2019 Coughlan was cast as wallflower Penelope Featherington, the youngest daughter of a newly rich family during London's Regency era, in Bridgerton.

From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2024

Dolley was no wallflower, content to spend the rest of her days living in the past.

From "An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793" by Jim Murphy

Should we feel bad for the wallflowers, Oregon State and Washington State, who now become the tragic twosome?

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2023

"And, you know, we're political wallflowers," he added.

From Reuters ● Nov. 16, 2022

Zach Morris’s show is interactive, but wallflowers will be relieved to hear that participation is optional.

From New York Times ● Aug. 4, 2021

For lovers of "Booksmart," viewers will recognize that the smart girls don't always have to be the nerdy wallflowers.

From Salon ● Apr. 4, 2020

In every garden wallflowers blossomed in bright color and filled the air with perfume.

From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli

Related Words

• observer