Definition

A small flower or a bunch of flowers that is worn in the buttonhole of a jacket or suit.

Example

He wore a red rose as a boutonniere for the wedding.

Conversation

Are you excited for the wedding this weekend?

Definitely! I can’t wait to see everyone dressed up.

I’m thinking of wearing a boutonniere for my suit.

That sounds great! A boutonniere will really complete your look.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Boutonniere comes from the French word 'boutonnière', which is derived from 'bouton' (meaning button) and the suffix '-ière' (indicating a place or related to). The term originally referred to a buttonhole, specifically the place where a flower is worn, thus a boutonniere is a flower worn in a buttonhole.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'button' ('bouton') where a flower is placed, and remember that a boutonniere is a flower worn in a buttonhole.

Visually Confused Words