Advertisement - Continue reading below

Definition of "wallflower" []

  • Any of numerous herbs of the genus Erysimum of the mustard family, having fragrant yellow, orange, or brownish flowers. (noun)
  • Any of several perennial herbs of the genus Cheiranthus, especially C. cheiri. (noun)
  • One who does not participate in the activity at a social event because of shyness or unpopularity. (noun)
  • A security, company, or industry that is out of favor with investors. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "wallflower" in a sentence
  • "The man in Washington who can not dance is a "wallflower" -- that is, he never leaves the wall."
  • "FERGUSON: You self-sabotage, your self-esteem out of the window, you lose confidence, and in my particular case, you walk into the room backwards so that you know -- and try to be a wallflower, which is quite difficult when you've got the world's media watching you, and you permanently think this thing traveling behind you -- you don't know what it is, but you realize it's your own backside."
  • "I was what you would call a wallflower, she said with a smile."