Meaning & use
orchids
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“orchids” is a form of “orchid”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluralbiology
Plants of a very large family, grown for their showy, unusually shaped flowers, many of which grow on trees in tropical forests.
Grammar: Plural form of orchid: she grows orchids, but one orchid is blooming.
Patterns
- a vase of orchids
- grow orchids
She keeps orchids on the windowsill and waters them weekly.
Wild orchids grow in the damp forest near the river.
The shop sells orchids in every shade of purple and white.
nounplural
The flowers of these plants, cut and used for bouquets, corsages or decoration.
Grammar: Plural: a bouquet of orchids.
Patterns
- a bouquet of orchids
He brought a bouquet of orchids to the dinner.
The bride carried white orchids down the aisle.
Fresh orchids lasted two weeks on the reception desk.
Word forms
| singular | orchid |
|---|
Common combinations
- grow orchids
- It takes patience to grow orchids indoors.
- wild orchids
- Wild orchids are protected in many countries.
- orchids bloom
- The orchids bloom once a year, in late winter.
- water orchids
- Do not water orchids too often.
- a bunch of orchids
- She bought a bunch of orchids for her mother.
Synonyms and how they differ
- flowers
- Flowers is a general word for any blooms, while orchids names one particular plant family.
- blooms
- Blooms refers to the flowers themselves of any plant and is more poetic than orchids.
- epiphytes
- Epiphytes is a technical word for plants that grow on others, and covers many plants beyond orchids.
Word family
- orchid noun
- one plant or flower of this family
- orchidaceous adjective
- belonging to the orchid family (technical)
- orchid-like adjective
- resembling an orchid
Commonly confused: orchids or orchard?
orchids vs orchard
An orchard is a place where fruit trees grow; orchids are flowering plants.
Practice
A florist sells ___ with unusual, delicate flowers that often grow in warm, humid places.
Choose one answer.
Orchids are showy tropical flowers. Orchards are fruit-tree fields, so they do not fit a flower shop.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “orchids”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.