wallflower

/ˈwɔːlˌflaʊ.ə/noun
Middle SchoolNot in standard dictionaries
1

Any of several short-lived herbs or shrubs of the Erysimum genus with bright yellow to red flowers.

2

Gastrolobium grandiflorum, a poisonous bushy shrub, endemic to Australia.

3

A person who does not dance at a party, due to shyness or unpopularity; by extension, anyone who is left on the sidelines while an activity takes place.

4

Any person who is socially awkward, shy, or reserved.

Sound Patterns & Rhymes

Alliteration

Words starting with the same consonant sound — used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, emphasis, and memorable phrasing (e.g. “Peter Piper picked”)

Assonance

Words sharing similar vowel sounds regardless of starting letter — creates internal melody in writing

Consonance

Words sharing similar consonant sound patterns — adds texture and cohesion to writing

#informal