Skip to main content
common broom

common broom

5.5
A shrub from western Europe with bright yellow flowers grown in gardens
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : retama común
  • The common broom is easily recognized by its vibrant yellow blossoms in late spring.

Examples

  • They planted common broom along the hillside for both beauty and erosion control.

  • Many gardeners love the common broom for its bright yellow flowers.

  • Gardeners prize common broom for its hardiness and colorful appearance.

  • The common broom blooms beautifully in spring.

  • Gardeners prize common broom for its hardiness and colorful appearance.

  • The common broom is easily recognized by its vibrant yellow blossoms in late spring.

  • They planted common broom along the hillside for both beauty and erosion control.

Synonyms

broom
vscommon broom
9 5.0

A shrub with thin green stems and yellow flowers that helps hold soil

is the specific named shrub grown mainly for ornamental bright flowers
Cytisus scoparius
vscommon broom
  • Specialized
9.7

A shrub with bright yellow flowers from western Europe called broom

is the everyday name used instead of the scientific species term
Scotch broom
vscommon broom
  • UK
9.0

A shrub with slender green branches and bright yellow flowers often grown in gardens

is the general name used without regional reference
green broom
vscommon broom
  • UK
8.8

A bush with bright yellow flowers often grown in gardens

is the more usual name used in gardens and plant lists
dyer's-broom
vscommon broom
  • UK
9.9

A small shrub with yellow flower clusters used to make dye and sometimes grown in gardens

is mainly grown for decorative bright flowers rather than for dyeing

Surface Forms

common broom singular
common brooms plural

Morphology

common + broom

The phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun combination: 'common' (widespread/ordinary) modifies 'broom' (a woody shrub with yellow flowers), so the meaning ‘the widespread/typical broom shrub’ is directly derivable from the constituents. This follows normal species-naming and adjectival modification patterns found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words should understand it.

Etymology

Common broom: The plant name common broom comes from an old use: people tied the bush's long, thin branches to make a cleaning broom. Because the plant grew in many places, they added common, so today common broom means the bush with bright yellow flowers.