(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ is the part of a plant which is often brightly coloured, grows at the end of a stem, and only survives for a short time.
Each individual ~ is tiny.
...large, purplish-blue ~s.
N-COUNT
2.
A ~ is a stem of a plant that has one or more ~s on it and has been picked, usually with others, for example to give as a present or to put in a vase.
...a bunch of ~s sent by a new admirer.
N-COUNT: usu pl
3.
Flowers are small plants that are grown for their ~s as opposed to trees, shrubs, and vegetables.
...a lawned area surrounded by plants and ~s...
The ~ garden will be ablaze with colour every day.
N-COUNT: usu pl
4.
When a plant or tree ~s, its ~s appear and open.
Several of these rhododendrons will ~ this year for the first time.
VERB: V
5.
When something ~s, for example a political movement or a relationship, it gets stronger and more successful.
Their relationship ~ed.
= blossom
VERB: V
6.
When a plant is in ~ or when it has come into ~, its ~s have appeared and opened.
PHRASE: usu v-link PHR, PHR after v
7.
see also ~ed