passionflower: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, technical (botany, horticulture, herbalism).
Quick answer
What does “passionflower” mean?
A climbing plant of the genus Passiflora, known for its intricate, showy flowers and often edible fruit.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A climbing plant of the genus Passiflora, known for its intricate, showy flowers and often edible fruit.
The flower or fruit of the passionflower plant; can metaphorically refer to something complex, intricate, or beautiful, especially as a symbol of the Passion of Christ in Christian iconography.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The edible fruit (Passiflora edulis) is sometimes called 'passion fruit' universally.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects outside botanical or gardening contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “passionflower” in a Sentence
grow [a] passionflowerthe passionflower [blooms/climbs]make tea from passionflowerVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in contexts of herbal supplement, tea, or horticulture trade.
Academic
Used in botanical, horticultural, or phytochemical research papers.
Everyday
Used by gardeners or in discussions about herbal remedies.
Technical
Standard term in botany (taxonomy: Passiflora spp.) and herbal medicine (as a sedative/anxiolytic).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “passionflower”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “passionflower”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “passionflower”
- Misspelling as 'passion flower' (open compound) is common but the closed form 'passionflower' is standard for the plant name. Confusing it solely with 'passion fruit' (which is the fruit of some species).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Passionflower' refers to the plant itself. 'Passion fruit' is the name for the edible fruit produced by some species of passionflower.
No, 'passionflower' is exclusively a noun.
The name derives from the 16th century, when Spanish Christian missionaries saw the flower's intricate structures as symbolic of the Passion (crucifixion) of Christ.
While passionflower tea and supplements are widely used, it is important to consult a healthcare professional as it can interact with medications and is not suitable for everyone (e.g., pregnant women).
A climbing plant of the genus Passiflora, known for its intricate, showy flowers and often edible fruit.
Passionflower is usually formal, technical (botany, horticulture, herbalism). in register.
Passionflower: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpæʃ.ən.flaʊər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpæʃ.ən.flaʊɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the flower's intricate parts as representing the 'passion' (suffering) of Christ, hence PASSIONflower.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPLEXITY IS INTRICATE STRUCTURE ('The legal case was a passionflower of interconnected clauses.').
Practice
Quiz
In a botanical context, what is a 'passionflower' primarily?