Definition

1. Noun:

   • A type of flower: A Eurasian plant (Dianthus caryophyllus) widely cultivated for its fragrant, often double flowers in many colors, especially pink, red, and white.
   • A color: A pink or reddish-pink color, named after the flower.

2. Adjective:

   • Pink or pinkish: Of a pink or reddish-pink color, like that of the common carnation flower.

Examples

• Noun (Flower):
  • She wore a white carnation in her buttonhole.
  • The florist arranged red and pink carnations in the bouquet.
• Noun (Color):
  • The walls were painted a soft carnation.
• Adjective:
  • She chose a carnation ribbon for the gift.

Advanced Usage

• "Clove carnation": Another name for the species , referring to its clove-like scent.
• In floriography (the language of flowers), a red carnation can symbolize deep love and admiration, while a white carnation can symbolize pure love and good luck.

Variants and Related Words

• Carnationed (adj., archaic): Adorned with or having the color of carnations.
  • The carnationed fields were a beautiful sight.

Synonyms

• Gillyflower (n., chiefly historical): An old-fashioned name for the carnation.
• Pink (n., adj.): Can refer to a similar flower in the genus or a similar color.

Idioms and Phrases

• "In the pink": This idiom means in very good health. While it uses the color "pink," it is conceptually related to the vibrant, healthy color associated with carnations.
  • After his vacation, he was feeling in the pink.

Adjective

1. pink or pinkish

Noun

1. a pink or reddish-pink color
2. Eurasian plant with pink to purple-red spice-scented usually double flowers; widely cultivated in many varieties and many colors