What does posy mean?
A posy is, above all, a small bunch of flowers, often chosen and arranged as a gift or keepsake. The word has an affectionate, old-fashioned charm that suits wedding bouquets, memorial displays, gifts, and descriptions of flowers carried in a basket or vase. It can also mean a short poem or verse, especially in older usage, so context determines whether the word refers to flowers or writing. The word entered English through Middle English and Old French in a form associated with a gift or present, reflecting the custom of giving flowers as tokens of affection. Although its dominant modern sense is “bouquet,” the older association with poetry gives it a pleasing double resonance: it names both a miniature arrangement of blossoms and, historically, a small piece of writing. Posy is especially useful when a plain “bouquet” sounds too formal or a detailed botanical term is unnecessary.
nounA small bunch or bouquet of flowers, especially one arranged as a gift or keepsake. In older usage, the word can also mean a short poem or verse.
- A small bunch or bouquet of flowers, especially one given as a gift or keepsake.
- A short poem or verse, a sense now confined mainly to older usage.
"She received a delicate posy of spring flowers from her admirer."
"He brought her a posy of daisies and forget-me-nots."
"The flyleaf contained a posy that the author had written for his wife."
The standard plural of posy is posies, pronounced like “pozzies.”
"Small posies of flowers decorated the tables."
From a gift of flowers to a tiny poem, “posy” has tucked both nature and verse into one charming word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does posy come from?
The word appeared in English during the late Middle English period, borrowed from Old French pos(ie), a term associated with a gift or present and ultimately related to Latin positus, the past participle of ponere, “to place or put.” Its application to a bouquet of flowers developed from the custom of presenting flowers as gifts. By the 17th century, the separate sense meaning a short poem or verse was also established. The same Latin root underlies English words such as pose, compose, deposit, and position.
How posy is actually used
The word is literary, affectionate, and somewhat old-fashioned. It often suggests an informal floral gift or keepsake rather than a large formal bouquet; the sense meaning a short poem is dated.
Easily confused with posy
Poesy means poetry or verse, whereas posy usually means a small bouquet of flowers, although posy also has an older sense meaning a short poem.