carnation

C2 Topic:Plants & Agriculture

US /kɑɹˈneɪ.ʃən/ UK /kɑːˈneɪ.ʃən/ See IPA manual

Freq #29495

Meanings

1

noun
a cultivated Eurasian plant with fragrant, usually ruffled flowers in white, pink, red, or other colors

A vase of crimson carnations stood beside the portrait.
2

noun
a pink or reddish-pink color associated with the flower

The painter mixed a soft carnation for the highlights on the face.
3

adj
pink or reddish pink in color

She chose a carnation ribbon for the pale gray dress.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a cultivated eurasian plant... clove pinkDianthus caryophyllus

2 noun · a pink or reddish-pink... carnation pinkflesh pink

3 adj · pink or reddish pink in color pinkrose-colored

Word family

Forms carnations

Derived forms carnationed

Related forms pinkdianthusclove pink

Etymology

From Middle French carnation, 'flesh color or complexion,' related to Latin caro, 'flesh.' The flower name may reflect its flesh-pink color, though it was also influenced by coronation and the flower's crownlike form. The color sense developed directly from the blossom.

Topics

Plants & Agriculture Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# carnation

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun, adj
**IPA (US):** /kɑɹˈneɪ.ʃən/
**IPA (UK):** /kɑːˈneɪ.ʃən/
**Frequency rank:** 29495

## Meanings
1. a cultivated Eurasian plant with fragrant, usually ruffled flowers in white, pink, red, or other colors
2. a pink or reddish-pink color associated with the flower
3. pink or reddish pink in color

## Examples
- A vase of crimson carnations stood beside the portrait.
- The painter mixed a soft carnation for the highlights on the face.
- She chose a carnation ribbon for the pale gray dress.

## Synonyms
- clove pink
- carnation pink
- flesh pink

## Derived Forms
- carnationed

## Related Forms
- pink
- dianthus
- clove pink

## Etymology
From Middle French carnation, 'flesh color or complexion,' related to Latin caro, 'flesh.' The flower name may reflect its flesh-pink color, though it was also influenced by coronation and the flower's crownlike form. The color sense developed directly from the blossom.

## Topics
- Plants & Agriculture
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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