candytuft

1 9.3

A small garden plant with clusters of white, pink, or purple flowers

noun
/ˈkændiˌtʌft/

: ibéris

Look at the candytuft!

Examples

Gardeners often plant candytuft for its ability to thrive in rock gardens and borders.
The candytuft is lovely.
A cluster of purple candytuft added a colorful touch to the flowerbed.
The bright candytuft bloomed early in the spring, lining the garden path with white and pink flowers.
In the spring garden, bright clusters of candytuft bloom in shades of white and pink.
The gardener chose candytuft for its low maintenance and stunning flowers that thrived in the sunlight.
After planting candytuft, the garden transformed with beautiful blooms attracting many butterflies.

Synonyms

Iberis

vscandytuft

Specialized

1 9.5

A group of small garden plants with white or pink flowers, often called candytuft

refers to a specific cultivated plant within that genus rather than the whole group

Surface Forms

candytuft singular

candytufts plural

Morphology

candytuft = candy + tuft (semi-transparent) = candy + tuft

The components 'candy' and 'tuft' are clear English words, but the compound is a lexicalized plant name whose meaning ('a species of flowering plant') is not fully predictable from the parts.

Etymology

The word candytuft comes from two English parts: candy and tuft, where 'tuft' means 'a small bunch' and 'candy' suggests something 'sweet' or bright. So the name helps you remember a plant with little, sweet-looking clusters of flowers that often bloom in spring.