zinnianoun
Factsheet
What does the noun zinnia mean?
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun zinnia. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
How common is the noun zinnia?
| 1770 | 0.0088 |
| 1780 | 0.0068 |
| 1790 | 0.0059 |
| 1800 | 0.005 |
| 1810 | 0.0055 |
| 1820 | 0.0026 |
| 1830 | 0.003 |
| 1840 | 0.0043 |
| 1850 | 0.0074 |
| 1860 | 0.0095 |
| 1870 | 0.015 |
| 1880 | 0.024 |
| 1890 | 0.04 |
| 1900 | 0.054 |
| 1910 | 0.085 |
| 1920 | 0.12 |
| 1930 | 0.15 |
| 1940 | 0.15 |
| 1950 | 0.16 |
| 1960 | 0.15 |
| 1970 | 0.14 |
| 1980 | 0.12 |
| 1990 | 0.12 |
| 2000 | 0.12 |
| 2010 | 0.12 |
How is the noun zinnia pronounced?
British English
U.S. English
Where does the noun zinnia come from?
Earliest known use
mid 1700s
The earliest known use of the noun zinnia is in the mid 1700s.
OED's earliest evidence for zinnia is from 1761, in the writing of John Hill, physician and actor.
zinnia is a borrowing from Latin.
Etymons: Latin Zinnia.
Nearby entries
- zingiberaceous, adj.1821–
- zingily, adv.1951–
- zinginess, n.1938–
- zinging, n.1921–
- zinging, adj.1915–
- zingingly, adv.1952–
- zingo, int.1906–
- zingy, adj.1938–
- Zinjanthropus, n.1959–
- zinke, n.1773–
- zinnia, n.1761–
- zinnober green, n.1879–
- zinnwaldite, n.1850–
- zino, n.1982–
- Zinovievite, adj. & n.1936–
- Zinoviev letter, n.1924–
- Zion, n.Old English–
- Zion Curtain, n.1951–
- Zioner, n.1681–1760
- Zionism, n.1896–
- Zionist, n. & adj.a1649–
Etymology
Summary
Meaning & use
- 1761–Any of various plants comprising the genus Zinnia (family Asteraceae), native to grassland and scrub from South America to the south-western United States; esp. any of various hybrids and cultivars, derived mainly from Z. elegans of Mexico, widely grown as garden plants for their brightly coloured flowers. Also: a flower of such a plant.
- 1761
This is the Zinnia of late writers.
J. Hill, Vegetable System vol. II. iii. iii. 65 - 1782
Of the hardier kinds of annual plants... The principal sorts are..alkekengi or winter-cherry, tobacco plant, zinnia, Indian corn.
J. Abercrombie, Every Man his Own Gardener (ed. 9) 197 - 1860
The Zinnia, after years of cultivation with very little success in changing it from its single habit, has at last rewarded the florist's care, by donning full flowing suit equal to the Dahlia.
American Agriculturist vol. 19 367/1 - 1885
They visited the flower-market..and purchased zinias..to decorate the folds of their togas.
W. Pater, Marius the Epicurean vol. I. xi. 187 - 1910
The hot and scentless glare of zinnias and dahlias.
Nation 13 August 702/1 - 2004
She replaced zinnias in the cutting garden with orange tithonia.
House Beautiful April 114
the world plants particular plants cultivated or valued plants particular cultivated or ornamental plants particular flower or plant esteemed for flower [nouns] composite flowers other composite flowers- ox-eyea1400–Any of various central European plants of the family Asteraceae (Compositae) with conspicuous yellow-rayed flowers, belonging (or formerly…
- starwort?a1450–Any of numerous herbaceous plants of the genus Aster or the cosmopolitan family Asteraceae having stellate flowers of various colours, often yellow…
- Jupiter's beard1567A name for various plants. Chrysocoma Linosyris (L. vulgaris), a South European plant with yellow composite flowers. Obsolete.
- goldenrod1568–Originally: the perennial herbaceous plant Solidago virgaurea (family Asteraceae (Compositae)), native to Europe and Asia, having erect stems…
- achillea1597Any of numerous plants of the chiefly Eurasian genus Achillea (family Asteraceae (Compositae)), which comprises hardy perennials, typically with…
- blue camomile1597–Either of two plants of the family Asteraceae (Compositae): (a) the blue-flowered sea aster, Aster tripolium (now rare); (b) German chamomile, Matri…
- blue daisy1597–Any of several plants of the families Asteraceae (Compositae) and Plantaginaceae, having blue, somewhat daisy-like, flowers; esp. blue marguerite, Fe…
- cineraria1597–A genus of composite plants (now generally included in Senecio), mostly natives of South Africa, with blue or purple flowers, but assuming very…
- hog's bean1597–1846The sea aster, Aster tripolium, which has a root apparently eaten by pigs. Obsolete.
- (a) Any variety of marigold or daisy which has a flower with smaller flowers or flower-like parts growing from its edge (cf. hen and chickens, n. 2a)…
- sea-starwort1597–Aster Tripolium.
- sultan flower1629–(Originally †sultan flower (also sultan's flower).) Either of two species of sweet-scented annuals, brought originally from the East, usually…
- garden rod1678–1736(Perhaps) goldenrod (genus Solidago).
- mouse-ear1696–U.S. More fully mouse-ear everlasting, mouse-ear plantain. The plantain-leaved pussy-toes, Antennaria plantaginifolia (family Asteraceae (Compositae…
- aster1706–Botany. A large genus of the family Compositae, with showy radiated flowers, of which the North American species are especially numerous. The only…
- Canada goldenrod1731–A type of goldenrod native to central and northeastern North America, Solidago canadensis, having lanceolate three-nerved leaves and small, bright…
- China aster1736–In the names of plants native to or associated with China. See also China orange, n., China root, n. 1. A flowering plant native to China and Korea, C…
- ageratum1737–Any of various flowering plants constituting the genus Ageratum (family Asteraceae (Compositae)), native chiefly to tropical America; esp. any of…
- coreopsis1751–Any of various flowering plants of (or formerly included in) the genus Coreopsis (family Asteraceae), comprising annuals and perennials native to…
- rudbeckia1751–Any of numerous tall perennial flowering plants comprising the genus Rudbeckia (family Asteraceae (Compositae)), native to North America and bearing…
- melampodium1754–In form Melampodium: a genus of plants of the family Asteraceae (Compositae), comprising white- or yellow-flowered herbs and subshrubs native to…
- Aaron's rod1760–Any of several plants with tall, straight flowering stems; esp. the common mullein, Verbascum thapsus, and the European goldenrod, Solidago virgaurea.
- zinnia1761–Any of various plants comprising the genus Zinnia (family Asteraceae), native to grassland and scrub from South America to the south-western…
- Michaelmas daisy1767–a. Any of various autumn-flowering North American asters, esp. Aster novi-belgii, with deep violet-blue flowers, and numerous garden asters derived…
- Canadian goldenrod1772–The Canada goldenrod, Solidago canadensis.
- New England aster1785–A Michaelmas daisy, Aster novae-angliae, of central and north-eastern North America, which usually has violet-blue flowers.
- catananche1798–The name of a genus (Catananche) of herbs of the family Compositæ with blue or yellow flowers; a plant of this genus.
- sea-aster1812–= sea-starwort, n.
- cosmea1813–= cosmos, n.³
- cosmos1813–A plant of the genus of Compositæ so named, native to tropical America, species of which, bearing rose, scarlet, and purple single dahlia-like…
- gazania1813–A plant of the genus of South African herbs so named, belonging to the family Compositæ and having showy yellow or orange flowers.
- erigeron1815–A hardy herbaceous annual, biennial, or perennial plant bearing daisy-like flowers and belonging to the large genus so called, of the family Compositæ…
- gousblom1822–A plant with showy flowers belonging to any of various species of Arctotis, Gazania, and some other related genera of the family Compositæ.
- Christmas daisy1829–Any of various late-flowering asters; esp. (U.S.) Symphyotrichum grandiflorum, which has large purple flowers.
- seaside daisy1829–†a. Thrift, Armeria maritima (obsolete rare); b. a perennial herb native to the Pacific coast of North America and now cultivated as a garden plant, E…
- rhodanthe1834–Any of numerous Australian and South African xerophytic plants constituting the genus Rhodanthe (family Asteraceae (Compositae)), which have…
- tassel-flower1836–a. A tassel-like flower; spec. the orange, scarlet, or yellowish blossom of Emilia sagittata (Cacalia coccinea), N.O. Compositæ, or the plant…
- ligularia1839–A herbaceous perennial plant of the genus so called, belonging to the family Compositæ, often native to China or Japan, and bearing yellow flowers.
- old maid1839–U.S. A zinnia, Zinnia elegans, much grown in gardens.
- mountain daisy1848–New Zealand. Any of various plants of the genus Celmisia (family Asteraceae (Compositae)), chiefly having flowers with yellow discs and white rays…
- purple coneflower1848–Any of several North American perennial plants constituting the genus Echinacea (family Asteraceae (Compositae)), esp. E. purpurea, which has…
- acroclinium1852–A plant of the former genus Acroclinium (now included in Rhodanthe), of the family Asteraceae (Compositae), which comprises herbaceous annuals…
- sea ox-eye1856–The seaside ox-eye (see ox-eye, n. I.1e).
- thimble-weed1860–See quot.
- helipterum1862–A shrub or herb of the genus so called, belonging to the family Compositæ, native to South Africa and Australia, and including several plants…
- treasure-flower1866–Local name of a South African composite flowering plant of the genus Gazania, esp. the species G. Pavonia, the peacock treasure-flower.
- West Indian marigold1866–Any of several tropical American plants of the genus Wedelia (family Asteraceae (Compositae)), with flowers that resemble those of the marigold.
- Swan River daisy1873–Used attributively in Swan River daisy n. an annual herb of the genus Brachycome, esp. B. iberidifolia, belonging to the family Compositæ, native…
- blanket flower1874–A plant of the genus Gaillardia (family Asteraceae), cultivated for its brightly coloured flowers (see Gaillardia, n.).
- cone-flower1879–A name for the genus Rudbeckia.
- blue marguerite1882–The perennial plant Felicia amelloides (family Asteraceae (Compositae)), native to southern Africa, having blue daisy-like flowers with yellow…
- Solidago1883–A plant of this genus, esp. S. virgaurea, a European and British species, formerly in repute for its medicinal properties, now largely cultivated as…
- yellow-top1887–U.S. Any of various North American goldenrods (genus Solidago). Now rare.
- youth and old age1887–= zinnia, n.
- Gaillardia1888–A genus of composite plants, producing showy flowers, for the most part red with a border of yellow.
- gerbera1889–A plant of the genus so named, of the family Compositæ; spec. the Transvaal daisy. Also gerbera daisy.
- pussytoes1892–Any of various woolly plants of the genus Antennaria (family Asteraceae (Compositae)); spec. (more fully plantain-leaved pussytoes) A. plantaginifolia…
- niggerhead1893–Now usually offensive. U.S. The black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta, whose flower has yellow rays and a dark centre.
- Barberton daisy1899–A gerbera; spec. a flowering plant native to south-eastern Africa, Gerbera jamesonii, ancestral to many horticultural varieties of gerbera (also…
- Transvaal daisy1899–Gerbera Jamesonii, a composite plant, introduced to Britain from the Transvaal in 1888.
- onion grass1909–Australian. Any of several crocus-like plants of the genus Romulea (family Iridaceae) naturalized in Australia; esp. R. rosea.
- Barberton1916–A Barberton daisy; a gerbera.
- ursinia1928–An annual or perennial aromatic herb of the genus of this name, belonging to the family Compositæ, native to South Africa, and bearing orange…
- Cupid's dart1930–Cupid's bow, designation of a shape or outline resembling the double-curved bow of Cupid. Cupid's dart, (a) The popular name for a variety of Catan…
- Livingstone daisy1932–A low-growing annual plant with fleshy greyish-green leaves and brightly coloured daisy-like flowers, Dorotheanthus bellidiformis (family Aizoaceae)…
Pronunciation
British English
U.S. English
Consonants
- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing
Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence
Vowels
- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)
Other symbols
- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.
View the pronunciation model here.
Consonants
- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing
* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in
Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence
Vowels
- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)
Other symbols
- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.
View the pronunciation model here.
Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.
Consonants
b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values
- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige
Vowels
- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot
Forms
Variant forms
- 1700s–zennia, zinnia
- 1800s–zenia, zinia
Frequency
zinnia typically occurs about 0.1 times per million words in modern written English.
zinnia is in frequency band 4, which contains words occurring between 0.1 and 1 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands
Frequency of zinnia, n., 1770–2010
* Occurrences per million words in written English
Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.
The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.
For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.
Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.
| Decade | Frequency per million words |
|---|---|
| 1770 | 0.0088 |
| 1780 | 0.0068 |
| 1790 | 0.0059 |
| 1800 | 0.005 |
| 1810 | 0.0055 |
| 1820 | 0.0026 |
| 1830 | 0.003 |
| 1840 | 0.0043 |
| 1850 | 0.0074 |
| 1860 | 0.0095 |
| 1870 | 0.015 |
| 1880 | 0.024 |
| 1890 | 0.04 |
| 1900 | 0.054 |
| 1910 | 0.085 |
| 1920 | 0.12 |
| 1930 | 0.15 |
| 1940 | 0.15 |
| 1950 | 0.16 |
| 1960 | 0.15 |
| 1970 | 0.14 |
| 1980 | 0.12 |
| 1990 | 0.12 |
| 2000 | 0.12 |
| 2010 | 0.12 |
Frequency of zinnia, n., 2017–2024
* Occurrences per million words in written English
Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.
Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the corpus.
| Period | Frequency per million words |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 0.045 |
| 2018 | 0.048 |
| 2019 | 0.054 |
| 2020 | 0.068 |
| 2021 | 0.078 |
| 2022 | 0.086 |
| 2023 | 0.093 |
| 2024 | 0.097 |