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DictionaryzinniaFlowering garden plant
noun

zinnia

ZIN-ee-uh/ˈzɪniə/

A garden plant with bright, daisy-like flowers.

A bright red zinnia grows beside the sunny garden path.

A small flowering zinnia plant with vivid pink, orange and red daisy-like flower heads, upright branching stems and paired broad leaves, growing in a minimal patch of garden soil.
Etymology
zinnGermanbotanist’s surname
+iaLatinnoun-forming ending

Zinn’s surname combines with the noun-forming ending -ia in a botanical genus name honoring Johann Gottfried Zinn. The flower’s name thus commemorates a botanist rather than describing its appearance.

In context

Gardening Know How0:00
Zinnias are a summer garden staple for good reason. They come in a wide range of colors, bloom all summer long, and they are so easy to grow! Even beginners can grow loads of beautiful zinnia blooms.
Growing Zinnias From Seed - How To Grow These Easy Annuals

More examples

  • We plant zinnias along the fence for summer color.
  • A butterfly lands on the tallest zinnia.
  • She cuts a few zinnias for a vase.

Forms

zinnia · zinnias