Corsage
kor-SAHZH
/kɔːrˈsɑːʒ/
A small bouquet of flowers worn on a woman's dress or wrist, typically for a formal occasion.
Corsages are traditionally given by a date for a formal event like prom, while a boutonniere is the male equivalent.
The story behind the word. The word 'corsage' comes from the Old French word 'cors,' meaning 'body.' Originally, a 'corsage' referred to the bodice of a dress, the part that covered the torso. Over time, the term evolved to describe the small bouquet of flowers worn specifically on the bodice of a dress, eventually becoming the common name for the floral accessory we know today.
Word relationships
- Boutonniere: The male equivalent, worn on a lapel.
Commonly confused with
- Bouquet: A bouquet is a larger arrangement of flowers, typically held in the hand, not worn.
Collocations
- wrist corsage
- pin-on corsage
- flower corsage
- order a corsage
Example sentences
- "He arrived at her door with a beautiful wrist corsage of white roses, perfectly matching her gown." Describing a prom tradition.
- "The florist carefully crafted a delicate corsage, ensuring each bloom was fresh and vibrant." Discussing formal accessories.
- "She pinned the corsage to her dress, a small but significant gesture before heading to the dance." A detail in a narrative.
Memory hook
A COR-sage is worn on the 'core' (body) of a dress. Core of the dress
When not to use
Do not use 'corsage' for a general bouquet of flowers or for the male equivalent (boutonniere).
Fun facts
- The tradition of wearing corsages dates back to ancient Greece, where small bouquets were worn to ward off evil spirits and bad odors.
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