flower
/ˈflaʊə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈflaʊər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈflau̇(-ə)r/ (ame, mw) · /flaʊər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈflaʊ.ɚ/ (ame, ipa)
flower — noun
- flowersingular
- flowersplural
1. the colourful or white structure on a plant that emerges from a bud and is made
the colourful or white structure on a plant that emerges from a bud and is made up of petals around a centre; most flowers produce seeds after they open and many are known for their scent.
Eleni picked a bright red flower from the bush in her garden.
countable noun: a flower; also used as a cut stem
The cherry tree was covered in small white flowers after the spring rain.
Each flower on this sunflower plant can grow as wide as a dinner plate.
Bao pressed a tiny purple flower between the pages of his notebook to save it.
The flowers of this orchid stay open for nearly two months before they drop.
文法句型
a/the + flower
flower + noun (compound)
plural: flowers
用法筆記
Countable noun. Often used with 'on' or 'of' to indicate which plant the flower belongs to. As a mass noun ('covered in flower') it is rare outside literary or horticultural contexts.
常見錯誤
2. a plant that people grow in gardens or pots mainly because they like the look of
a plant that people grow in gardens or pots mainly because they like the look of the blooms it produces.
Soraya planted bright yellow flowers in pots along her front steps.
flower as a type of garden plant
The garden centre sells both flowers and vegetable seedlings this season.
Amani chose pink flowers for the living room to match the new curtains.
These flowers need plenty of sunlight and a little water every two days.
A row of tall flowers lined the fence at the back of the school playground.
文法句型
grow/plant + flowers
a bed of + flowers
adjective + flowers
用法筆記
Countable noun. In this sense the word refers to the whole plant, not just the bloom. Context usually clarifies — 'water the flowers' means water the whole plant; 'pick a flower' means take only the bloom.
常見錯誤
3. the time when a person, movement, or culture is at its most successful, energeti
the time when a person, movement, or culture is at its most successful, energetic, or finest state.
The dancer was in the flower of her youth when she won the national title.
fixed phrase: in the flower of [possessive] youth
Many masterpieces were produced during the flower of the Renaissance in Italy.
The flower of the nation's young scientists gathered for the annual research fair.
Hiro's career as a photographer reached its flower in the early nineteen-nineties.
- prime
More common and less literary; works for careers, physical condition, and inanimate subjects.
- peak
Neutral, widely applicable to any high point; the most frequent alternative in everyday English.
- heyday
Refers to a past period of greatest popularity or success, usually for a group or movement rather than an individual.
- decline
The period after the flower, when strength or success fades.
文法句型
in/at the flower of [possessive] + noun
用法筆記
Restricted to fixed phrases such as 'in the flower of one's youth' and 'the flower of something' (meaning the best members of a group). Cannot be used freely to mean any good period — 'the flower of the economy' sounds unnatural.
flower — verb
- flowerpresent simple I / you / we / they
- flowers3rd person singular
- flowering-ing form
- floweredpast simple
1. when a talent, ability, personal quality, or relationship develops fully and bec
when a talent, ability, personal quality, or relationship develops fully and becomes noticeable or successful.
Lucas's musical talent flowered after he began piano lessons at age seven.
talent + flowered: natural ability emerges fully
Mei's writing style flowered during her years at the university creative-writing programme.
The friendship between the two families flowered into a strong community partnership.
Asher's interest in science flowered after a visit to the natural history museum.
Under the new teacher's guidance, the children's creativity flowered in unexpected ways.
- blossom
Same figurative meaning; equally common and slightly more informal. 'Their friendship blossomed.'
- flourish
Emphasises thriving and success rather than emergence; often used for careers, businesses, and communities.
- develop
Neutral and broader; 'flower' adds a sense of natural, beautiful unfolding that 'develop' lacks.
文法句型
[quality/talent] + flowers
[quality/talent] + flowers + into [result]
用法筆記
Intransitive verb — no direct object. The subject is typically an abstract quality: talent, creativity, friendship, interest, love. Often followed by 'into' to show what the development leads to. Considerably more formal than synonyms like 'grow' or 'develop.'
常見錯誤
2. when a plant or tree produces open blooms on its stems, typically at a particula
when a plant or tree produces open blooms on its stems, typically at a particular time of year or in certain conditions.
The rose bushes in Constanza's yard flower from early June until mid-October.
intransitive: [plant] flowers in/during [season]
This rare type of orchid flowers only once every three years.
The apple trees in the orchard flower in April, and bees arrive to help with pollination.
Camille's lavender plants flowered for the first time this summer after two seasons of growth.
If you prune the bush in autumn, it will flower more abundantly the following spring.
- wilt
The opposite action — when flowers droop and lose freshness.
文法句型
[plant/tree] + flowers + [time phrase]
用法筆記
Intransitive verb. Frequently followed by a time phrase ('flowers in May,' 'flowers once a year'). The subject is always a plant, tree, or flowering bush. Unlike 'bloom,' which can be used with flowers as the subject ('the roses are blooming'), 'flower' takes the whole plant as subject ('the rose bush is flowering').