Definition

A small arrangement of flowers, often given as a gift or used for decoration.

Example

She received a lovely nosegay for her birthday.

Conversation

I found a beautiful nosegay at the market today.

That sounds lovely! What kind of flowers were in it?

There were some roses and daisies mixed together.

I bet that looks amazing! I love small bouquets.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Nosegay** → The word is formed from "nose" (from Old English *nosu*, meaning the part of the face used for smelling) and "gay" (from Old French *gai*, meaning joyful or bright). A nosegay refers to a small bouquet of flowers that is pleasing to the senses, particularly the sense of smell, and is often associated with joy or brightness.

Memory Tip

Think of the 'nose' as the part of the body that smells flowers, and 'gay' meaning bright or joyful — a nosegay is a joyful bouquet that smells delightful.

Visually Confused Words