amaranth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, Botanical, Culinary, Horticultural
Quick answer
What does “amaranth” mean?
A plant, especially of the genus Amaranthus, with showy plumes of small red or purple flowers. Some varieties are cultivated for grain or as leafy vegetables.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A plant, especially of the genus Amaranthus, with showy plumes of small red or purple flowers. Some varieties are cultivated for grain or as leafy vegetables.
An imaginary flower that never fades or dies, often symbolizing immortality in poetry and mythology. Also refers to a reddish-rose or purple color.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or pronunciation. Usage in culinary contexts (as a 'pseudocereal' or leafy vegetable) may be slightly more common in American health-food contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, the poetic/literary connotation of immortality is strong.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, primarily encountered in specialised or literary texts.
Grammar
How to Use “amaranth” in a Sentence
The [type of] amaranth [verbs: grows, fades, symbolizes]They cultivated [amaranth] for its [property: seeds, leaves]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “amaranth” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not standard as a verb]
American English
- [Not standard as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not standard as an adverb]
American English
- [Not standard as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The dress was an amaranth hue, deep and reddish-purple.
- He described her cheeks with amaranth blush.
American English
- She painted the accent wall an amaranth color.
- The amaranth fields stretched toward the horizon.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in contexts of health food, organic farming, or specialty grains: 'The company invested in amaranth production.'
Academic
Common in botany, horticulture, agricultural history, and classical literature studies.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be known to gardeners, cooks using ancient grains, or readers of poetry.
Technical
Specific in botany (taxonomy, morphology) and nutrition (as a gluten-free pseudocereal high in protein).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “amaranth”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “amaranth”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “amaranth”
- Misspelling as 'amaranth**e**' (though 'amarantine' exists as a derived adjective/color).
- Mispronouncing the final '-anth' as '-anth**ee**'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Amaranth is a pseudocereal, not a true cereal grass like wheat. Its seeds are used similarly to grains but it belongs to a different plant family (Amaranthaceae).
Poetically, it refers to an imaginary, unfading flower, often used as a symbol of immortality, eternal life, or undying love.
It is pronounced /ˈæm.ə.rænθ/ (AM-uh-ranth) in both British and American English, with the stress on the first syllable.
Yes. The seeds can be cooked like quinoa or popped like popcorn, and the leaves of some species are eaten as a leafy vegetable similar to spinach.
A plant, especially of the genus Amaranthus, with showy plumes of small red or purple flowers. Some varieties are cultivated for grain or as leafy vegetables.
Amaranth is usually literary, botanical, culinary, horticultural in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none standard; poetic use only]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Amaranth = A-MAR-ANTH' - 'A' plant that 'MAR's (spoils) the idea of 'ANTH' (flowers) dying, because it's immortal.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMMORTALITY / ETERNAL BEAUTY IS AN UNFADING FLOWER (Amaranth).
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you LEAST likely to encounter the word 'amaranth'?