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rose geranium

rose geranium

5.7
A plant with pink flowers and scented leaves used for perfume
  • noun
  • /roʊz ˈɡɛrənɪəm/
translation icon : geranio rosa
  • He planted a rose geranium in the herb garden to enjoy its beautiful pink flowers and fragrance.

Examples

  • She added a few fresh rose geranium leaves to the potpourri for a pleasant scent.

  • The essential oil of rose geranium is often used in perfumes and aromatherapy.

  • I bought a rose geranium for my garden.

  • The rose geraniums bloom beautifully in spring.

  • The rose geranium is popular for making scented soaps and candles.

  • Rose geranium leaves can be used to add a fragrant flavor to salads.

  • Many people enjoy the calming scent of rose geranium in their aromatherapy diffusers.

Synonyms

Pelargonium graveolens
vsrose geranium
  • Specialized
9.7

A plant that has rose-scented leaves and pink flowers

is the common, widely grown name rather than the scientific label
sweet-scented geranium
vsrose geranium
  • South African
7.9

A plant with divided leaves and pink flowers that smell sweet

gives a more detailed botanical description including leaf lobes and common cultivation

Surface Forms

rose geranium singular

Morphology

rose + Geranium

The phrase names a type of geranium characterized by rose-like scent or appearance, so a learner who knows 'rose' and 'geranium' can infer it refers to a geranium with rose-related qualities. Noun-noun compounds of this descriptive type are common and follow regular English compounding patterns, making the meaning readily derivable for a B1 learner.

Etymology

Rose geranium gets its name from its smell: the leaves give a strong, sweet scent like a rose, but the plant itself is a geranium, so the name links the rose scent to the geranium. So, the name helps you remember it is a geranium used for 'perfumes' and potpourri.