Meaning & use
corsage
Last updated
UK/kɔːˈsɑːʒ/
US/kɔːrˈsɑːʒ/
Meaning
nouncountable
A small arrangement of flowers worn on a dress or tied around the wrist for a special occasion.
Grammar: Associated with proms and weddings; the plural is corsages.
Patterns
- a corsage of something
- wear a corsage
Her date pinned a white rose corsage to her dress.
The corsage matched the color of her gown.
Grandma wore an orchid corsage to the wedding.
Word forms
| plural | corsages |
|---|
Common combinations
- wrist corsage
- She chose a wrist corsage so it would not damage her dress.
- pin a corsage
- He carefully pinned the corsage on her lapel.
- orchid corsage
- An orchid corsage lasted all evening.
- prom corsage
- He ordered a prom corsage from the florist.
- wear a corsage
- Mothers often wear a corsage on Mother's Day.
Synonyms and how they differ
- boutonniere
- A boutonniere is a single flower or small bunch worn on a lapel, usually by men, while a corsage is traditionally worn by women.
- posy
- Posy is a small bunch of flowers carried in the hand rather than worn.
- bouquet
- A bouquet is larger and carried or given, whereas a corsage is worn.
- buttonhole
- In British English a buttonhole is a flower worn on a jacket, similar to a boutonniere.
Word family
- corsage noun
- also the bodice of a dress in older usage
- corset noun
- a tight garment worn to shape the waist
- boutonniere noun
- a flower worn on a lapel
Commonly confused: corsage or corset?
corsage vs corset
A corset is a tight garment worn around the torso, while a corsage is a flower arrangement.
Practice
Which item is a corsage?
Choose one answer.
A corsage is a small flower arrangement worn on the wrist or dress. The lapel flower is a boutonniere and the large bouquet is carried.
Make it your own
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