What does "carnation" mean?
A type of Eurasian plant widely cultivated for its flowers.; originally, Dianthus caryophyllus
Carnation
/kɑɹˈneɪ.ʃən/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A type of Eurasian plant widely cultivated for its flowers.; originally, Dianthus caryophyllus
- Grammar: carnation is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: bloom, blossom, cardinal, carmine.
- Useful contrasts: gray, green, insignificance.
- Usage evidence: The tall man wore a pink carnation in his lapel.
How to use "carnation"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "carnation" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "carnation" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "carnation" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "carnation" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "carnation" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "bloom" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "carnation", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A type of Eurasian plant widely cultivated for its flowers.; originally, Dianthus caryophyllus countable, uncountable
- 2 a pink or reddish-pink color wordnet
- 3 A type of Eurasian plant widely cultivated for its flowers.; other members of genus Dianthus and hybrids countable, uncountable
- 4 Eurasian plant with pink to purple-red spice-scented usually double flowers; widely cultivated in many varieties and many colors wordnet
- 5 The type of flower they bear, originally flesh-coloured, but since hybridizing found in a variety of colours. countable, uncountable
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 A rosy pink colour countable, uncountable
"And the women of New Bedford, they bloom like their own red roses. But roses only bloom in summer; whereas the fine carnation of their cheeks is perennial as sunlight in the seventh heavens."
- 7 The pinkish colors used in art to render human face and flesh archaic, countable, especially, uncountable
- 8 A scarlet colour. countable, uncountable
Adjective
- 1 Of a rosy pink or red colour. not-comparable
- 2 Of a human flesh color. archaic, not-comparable
Adjective
- 1 pink or pinkish wordnet
Example
"The tall man wore a pink carnation in his lapel."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "carnation"?
Common synonyms include: bloom, blossom, cardinal, carmine, cerise, clove pink.
How do you use "carnation" in a sentence?
The tall man wore a pink carnation in his lapel.
How do you pronounce "carnation"?
Pronounced /kɑɹˈneɪ.ʃən/.
Etymology
From Middle French carnation (“flesh color, complexion”), either via Italian carnagione (“flesh color”) or directly from Late Latin carnātiō (“fleshiness”), from Latin carō (“flesh, meat”) + ātiō (“-ation”). As a flower and its color, possibly instead from corruption in French of coronation (“crowning, crowned thing”) under the influence of carnation, from the flower's supposed resemblance to a crown.