florist

IPA/ˈflɒrɪst/
KK[flˈɔrɪst]IPA/ˈflɔːrɪst/

florist — noun

  • floristsingular
  • floristsplural

1. someone whose job is to grow, arrange, or sell flowers and decorative plants, of

1.nounB1
Definition

someone whose job is to grow, arrange, or sell flowers and decorative plants, often in a small shop or for special occasions such as weddings

Example

The florist carefully arranged the white roses and lavender into a large bridal bouquet.

florist + arrange [flowers] into [arrangement] (occupation task)

Ritu has worked as a florist for ten years and knows every type of orchid.

Common collocations
  • trained as a florist
  • works as a florist
  • local florist
  • florist arranged
  • florist delivered
Synonyms
  • flower seller

    more general term, may refer to a market stall holder rather than a trained arranger

  • flower arranger

    focuses specifically on the creative side, often for events or displays

Usage Note

Can also refer to the owner of a flower shop, not just an employee.

Common Mistakes

My uncle is a florist who grows tomatoes in his greenhouse.
My uncle is a gardener who grows tomatoes in his greenhouse.
A florist sells and arranges flowers; a gardener grows plants.

2. a retail business where customers can buy freshly cut flowers and houseplants, a

2.nounB1
Definition

a retail business where customers can buy freshly cut flowers and houseplants, and often request a custom bouquet or delivery service

Example

The florist on Elm Street sells fresh sunflowers and tulips every morning.

the florist on [street] (shop with location)

Dahlia stopped by the florist to buy a potted orchid for her new apartment.

Common collocations
  • at the florist
  • from the florist
  • the florist on
  • the florist near
  • local florist
  • wedding florist
Synonyms
  • flower shop

    more explicit and less formal; avoids the ambiguity between person and place

Usage Note

When meaning 'shop', the word is usually preceded by 'the' or a determiner (e.g. 'at the florist', 'from a florist'). In British English, the possessive form 'the florist's' is also common ('I'm going to the florist's').

Common Mistakes

I bought a loaf of bread from the florist.
I bought a loaf of bread from the bakery.
A florist sells flowers and plants, not food.

Word family

  • floristry
    nounB2
  • floral
    adjectiveB1
  • floristic
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Florist, gardener, horticulturist, and flower arranger all involve working with plants, but they focus on different areas. A florist works primarily with cut flowers and ornamental plants, arranging them for sale or events, and typically operates from a shop. A gardener grows and tends plants in a garden setting — vegetables, flowers, lawns, and hedges — often working outdoors in private homes or public parks. Horticulturist is a more formal term for someone who studies or practises the science of plant cultivation, often in research or large-scale production. Flower arranger focuses specifically on the creative act of placing cut flowers into displays, and may not sell them. For example: 'The florist wrapped the bouquet in paper before handing it to the customer.' 'The gardener trimmed the hedges and planted new rose bushes.' 'The horticulturist developed a drought-resistant hybrid.'

florist ↗gardener ↗horticulturist ↗flower arranger

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • at the florist's
  • the florist on [street]
  • order from a florist

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Comes from Latin 'flos' (meaning flower) combined with the suffix '-ist' (meaning a person who does a particular activity). The word entered English from French 'fleuriste' during the 1600s, and later shifted to the modern spelling 'florist' under the influence of the Latin root.