bluebonnet

noun

blue·​bon·​net ˈblü-ˌbä-nət How to pronounce bluebonnet (audio)
1
a
: a wide flat round cap of blue wool formerly worn in Scotland
b
: one that wears such a cap
specifically : scot
2
: either of two low-growing annual lupines (Lupinus subcarnosus or L. texensis) of Texas with silky foliage and blue flowers

Examples of bluebonnet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Visit in spring for a chance to see the road lined with tall and lanky Big Bend bluebonnets. — Eva Frederick, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2026 While temperature influences when bluebonnets bloom, rainfall plays a bigger role in how strong the displays become. — Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 16 Mar. 2026 Start with tall bluebonnet stems on the left, fill the middle with medium-height ornamental onions, and finish the arrangement with softly drooping sweet peas on the right. — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026 Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area in Spicewood offers one of the most expansive bluebonnet displays in Central Texas, with rolling hills covered in dense blooms during peak season. — Staff Photographer, Austin American Statesman, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bluebonnet

Word History

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bluebonnet was in 1568

Rhymes for bluebonnet

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Browse Nearby Words

blue boneset
bluebonnet
blue book
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Cite this Entry

“Bluebonnet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bluebonnet. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bluebonnet

noun
blue·​bon·​net ˈblü-ˌbän-ət How to pronounce bluebonnet (audio)
: a low-growing annual lupine of Texas with silky leaves and blue flowers

More from Merriam-Webster on bluebonnet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bluebonnet

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