BUTTONHOLING definition: 1. present participle of buttonhole 2. to stop someone and make them listen to you: . Learn more.

Buttonhole is easy to pin down as a noun referring to the slit or loop through which a button is passed to fasten something, but its shift to a verb meaning "to detain in conversation" requires …

Define buttonholing. buttonholing synonyms, buttonholing pronunciation, buttonholing translation, English dictionary definition of buttonholing. n. 1. A small slit in a garment or piece of fabric for …

Dec 14, 2025 · buttonhole (third-person singular simple present buttonholes, present participle buttonholing, simple past and past participle buttonholed) (transitive, colloquial) To detain (a …

buttonholing, adj. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

I was buttonholed by a coworker just as I was leaving my office.

/ˌbʌtnˈhoʊl/ /ˈbʌtɪnhəʊl/ IPA guide Other forms: buttonholes; buttonholed; buttonholing Definitions of buttonhole noun a hole through which buttons are pushed

A buttonhole is a hole that you push a button through in order to fasten a shirt, coat, or other piece of clothing. A buttonhole is a flower that you wear on your coat or dress. If you buttonhole …

Buttonholing definition: persistently accosting someone to talk. Check meanings, examples, usage tips, pronunciation, domains, related words.

BUTTONHOLE definition: the hole, slit, or loop through which a button is passed and by which it is secured. See examples of buttonhole used in a sentence.