# buttonhole

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈbʌtənˌhoʊl/ · frequency rank #76,609

## Definitions
1. A hole through which a button is pushed to secure a garment or some part of one.
2. A flower worn in a buttonhole for decoration.
3. A flower worn in a buttonhole for decoration.
4. A small slot-like cut or incision, made for example by an accident with the scalpel.
5. The mouth, nose or eyes of a tiny appearance.
6. vagina, coin slot.
7. The butthole (anus).

## Etymology
Originally buttonhold (“a loop of string to hold a button down”), but changed by folk etymology by influence of hole, By surface analysis, button + hole.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/buttonhole