anthophile
|an-tho-phile|
/ˈænθəfaɪl/
flower-loving / attracted to flowers
Etymology
'anthophile' originates from Greek elements 'anthos' meaning 'flower' and 'philos' meaning 'loving', combined in New Latin/modern coinages as the compound 'anthophile'.
'anthos' (Greek) + 'philos' produced New Latin/Neo-Greek formations like 'anthophilus/anthophile', which entered English usage (chiefly in scientific and coinage contexts) in the 19th century as 'anthophile'.
Initially it meant 'flower-loving' (a lover of flowers); over time it also came to be used for organisms attracted to or visiting flowers (for example, insects that visit flowers for nectar or pollen).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who loves, cultivates, or has a strong fondness for flowers; a flower-lover.
She is an anthophile who grows dozens of rose varieties in her garden.
Synonyms
Noun 2
(biology, entomology) An organism—especially an insect—that visits, is attracted to, or feeds on flowers (often for nectar or pollen); a flower-visiting species.
Many anthophiles, such as bees and butterflies, are important pollinators.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/24 17:28