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Definition of bachelor button
bachelor button
Plural:bachelor buttons
bachelor button Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
7
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American A slender annual plant (Centaurea cyanus) of the aster family, native to Europe but widely cultivated in North America, recognized by its striking bright blue, pink, or white ruffled flowers.
Example
"She planted a vibrant border of bachelor buttons along the garden path to attract early summer pollinators."
Word Nuance & Usage
Frequently styled with a possessive as 'bachelor's button'. While used widely in North America, standard British English often prefers the synonym 'cornflower'.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the historical tradition of young unmarried men (bachelors) wearing this specific flower in the buttonhole of their suits while courting.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bachelor button. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bachelor button