florid
Definitions
Having a red or rosy complexion; flushed.
（脸色）红润的，泛红的。
Excessively elaborate or ornate, especially in language or style.
（尤指语言、风格）华丽的，辞藻堆砌的，过分装饰的。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedflor (flower) + -id (having the quality of) = 'flowery.' English took this in two directions: a florid face is rosy like a blossom; florid writing is decorated to excess, like a garden choked with flowers.
Root flor still carries 8 more wordsWhy It Means This
The same image — 'covered in flowers' — earns opposite verdicts depending on what it describes. For a face, looking blossom-pink is healthy and flattering. For prose, being all blossoms and no substance is a fault: too ornate, too showy. So 'florid' praises a complexion but mocks a style.
Common Collocations
- 1.florid complexion红润的脸色
- 2.florid face红润的脸
- 3.florid style华丽的风格
- 4.florid prose辞藻堆砌的文字
- 5.florid language华丽的语言
Example Sentences
- 1.
His florid face suggested he had been out in the cold.
- 2.
The speech was too florid, full of grand words and little meaning.
- 3.
She prefers plain reports to florid, decorative prose.
Easily Confused
florid vs flowery — both mean 'overly ornate' for style, and you can use either there. But only florid also means 'red-faced.' If you mean someone's rosy cheeks, use florid, not flowery.