daisy

noun

dai·​sy ˈdā-zē 

plural daisies

1

: a composite plant (as of the genera Bellis or Chrysanthemum) having a flower head with well-developed ray flowers usually arranged in one or a few whorls: such as

a

: a low European herb (Bellis perennis) with white or pink ray flowers

called also English daisy

b

: a leafy-stemmed perennial herb (Leucanthemum vulgare synonym Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) with long white ray flowers and a yellow disk that was introduced into the U.S. from Europe

called also oxeye daisy

2

: the flower head of a daisy

3

: a first-rate person or thing

4

capitalized : a member of a program of the Girl Scouts for girls in kindergarten and first grade

daisylike

ˈdā-zē-ˌlīk 

adjective

or daisy-like

daisylike flowers

Did you know?

The daisy flower does not just bud, blossom, and die like most other flowers. Rather it performs a daily routine of “sleeping” at night by closing and “waking” in the morning by opening up again. Because of this unusual trait and the whorled appearance of the flower, the daisy was given the Old English name dægeseage, meaning literally “day’s eye.” The distinctive ray-like appearance of the daisy as it opens and closes with the sun reminds one of an eye that opens in the morning and closes at night.

Synonyms

• beaut
• beauty
• bee's knees
• cat's meow
• corker
• crackerjack
• crackajack
• dandy
• dilly
• doozy
• doozie
• doozer
• dream
• honey
• hot stuff
• humdinger
• hummer
• jim-dandy
• knockout
• lollapalooza
• lulu [slang]
• nifty
• peach
• pip
• pippin
• ripper
• ripsnorter
• snorter
• sockdolager
• sockdologer
• standout
• sweetheart

Examples of daisy in a Sentence

while the old crooner is now well past his prime, Grandma still harkens back to the “daisy of a performance” he could give in his heyday

Recent Examples on the Web

The flowers appear to be gazanias, also known as African daisies, a plant native to South Africa that spreads so easily it has been deemed invasive by the California Invasive Plant Council. —Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024

When touched, copper canyon daisy (T. lemmonii) leaves emit a very strong aroma, as does the foliage of Mexican mint marigold (T. lucida), which smells strongly of tarragon. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2024

Along a side gate, well-wishers had left a few bouquets—daisies, lilies—and get-well-soon cards for Catherine. —Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2024

The fun pattern options include daisies, leopard print, and solids in a wide variety of shades, with sizes ranging from S to XXL. —Laura Lu, Parents, 23 Feb. 2024

There are peeks of both spring foliage, like lavender sprigs and eye-catching daisies. —Alida Nugent, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024

This hanging plant basket, made of coconut palm lining, includes a 15.7-inch chain for hanging the basket, and four packs of faux daisies (attached to an iron wire) and leaves. —Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2024

Made of both plastic and artificial silk, each yellow daisy lends a pop of color, really drawing in your eye and welcoming in guests. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2024

Below, residents left vases holding white roses, daisies and sunflowers. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dayeseye, from Old English dægesēage, from dæg day + ēage eye

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing daisy

• African daisy
• daisy chain
• daisy ham
• daisy-like
• daisy wheel
• English daisy
• fresh as a daisy
• gloriosa daisy
• Michaelmas daisy
• oxeye daisy
• Shasta daisy

Kids Definition

daisy

noun

dai·​sy ˈdā-zē 

plural daisies

1

: any of numerous plants of the composite family having flower heads with well-developed ray flowers: as

a

: a low-growing European herb with white or pink ray flowers

b

: a tall leafy-stemmed wildflower introduced into America from Europe and having a flower head with a yellow disk in the center surrounded by long white ray flowers

2

: the flower head of a daisy

3

capitalized : a member of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America program for girls in kindergarten and first grade

Etymology

Old English dægesēage "daisy," literally, "day's eye," from dæg "day" and ēage "eye"