ENGLISH
REFERENCE

flowery

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈfɫaʊɝi// UK //flˈaʊəɹi// flow·ery Archaic Informal

adj. using many words that sound beautiful or poetic, but sometimes in a way that feels too complicated or fake. You use this to describe writing or speech that is full of fancy details.

adj. characterised by an excessive use of elaborate or ornate language; overly verbose or gushing in style. Often carries a slightly negative connotation when used to describe prose or speech.


SIMPLE

His speech was full of flowery words and long sentences.

CONTEXTUAL

The editor suggested cutting the flowery descriptions to make the article more accessible to a general audience.

COMPLEX

While the poet's flowery style was admired for its beauty, some critics argued that it obscured the central message of the poem.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English floury, equivalent to flower + -y (adjectival suffix). Piecewise doublet of floury.

Etymology 2

From flower + -y (diminutive suffix).

Etymology 3

From flower + -ery.

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