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Definition of bachelor's button
bachelor's button
Plural:bachelor's buttons
bachelor's button Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A widely cultivated Eurasian annual plant (Centaurea cyanus) of the daisy family, bearing distinctive bright blue, pink, or white button-like flower heads; commonly known as the cornflower.
Example
"She planted a colorful border of bachelor's buttons along the edge of her cottage garden."
2
Any of several other plants that produce tight, round, button-like flowers, such as the globe amaranth or the meadow buttercup.
Example
"The florist included a few deep purple bachelor's buttons to add texture to the summer bouquet."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the traditional folklore practice of young, unmarried men (bachelors) wearing these resilient flowers in their lapel buttonholes when courting.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bachelor's button. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bachelor's button