Heather
/ˈhɛðər/
Definitions
3 meaningsAn evergreen shrub (genus *Calluna*) with small, bell-shaped flowers, often found growing on moorland.
/ˈhɛðər/
A low-growing evergreen shrub.
The hills were covered in a blanket of blooming heather.
💡 Simply: Imagine a tough, little plant that loves to grow in wild, open spaces, with lots of purple flowers. It's like a tiny, resilient carpet.
👶 For kids: A plant with small, purple flowers that grows on the ground, like a tiny bush.
More Examples
The artist captured the delicate beauty of the heather in her painting.
Heather is often used in landscaping for its vibrant color and hardiness.
How It's Used
"The Scottish Highlands are often covered in purple heather."
"She planted a bed of heather in her garden."
A purplish-brown color, similar to the color of heather flowers.
/ˈhɛðər/
A brownish-purple color.
The sweater was a beautiful heather shade.
💡 Simply: Imagine a color that's like a mix of purple and brown, kind of like the flowers of the heather plant.
👶 For kids: A color that looks a little purple and a little brown.
More Examples
She asked for a heather-colored paint for her bedroom.
The fabric had a heather texture with subtle color variations.
How It's Used
"She chose a heather-colored scarf to match her coat."
"The walls were painted a soft heather hue."
A female given name, derived from the plant name.
/ˈhɛðər/
A given name.
Heather is a common name in many English-speaking countries.
💡 Simply: A pretty name for a girl, just like the flower!
👶 For kids: A girl's name!
More Examples
The book's main character was named Heather.
Heather is often used for girls, like the flower it's named after.
How It's Used
"Heather is a popular name for girls."
Idioms & expressions
fresh as a heather
Used to describe someone who is lively, energetic, and full of vitality.
"After her morning jog, she felt as fresh as a heather."
From Middle English *hather*, from Old English *hāthor* 'heather'.
The word 'heather' has been used to describe the plant since the Old English period, though the modern form emerged in Middle English.
Memory tip
Think of the heath in the Scottish Highlands, where purple flowers of heather often bloom.
Word Origin
"hāthor (heather)"