snapdragon

noun

snap·​drag·​on ˈsnap-ˌdra-gən 

: any of a genus (Antirrhinum of the family Plantaginaceae, the plantain family) of herbs having showy tubular flowers with two-lipped coronas

especially : a widely cultivated one (A. majus) of Mediterranean origin having usually pink, red, yellow, or white flowers

Illustration of snapdragon

Examples of snapdragon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This may explain why snapdragons are recommended for late fall planting since they are meant to develop a strong root system – thanks to the rains that begin to come this time of year – and then bloom in spring before fading from the scene in early summer, without ever having been irrigated. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 29 Nov. 2025

The common buckeye’s host plants are snapdragon, mimulus, penstemon and plantain. —Sara Okeefe, Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2025

Cold-hardy annual seeds like calendula, nigella, annual poppies, snapdragon, and larkspur can often be sown directly in fall to help cover the ground in spring. —Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025

And ornamental cabbage and kale, snapdragons, sweet alyssum, and the list goes on and on. —Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from the fancied resemblance of the flowers to the face of a dragon

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for snapdragon

• anlagen
• bandwagon
• agone
• dragon
• lagan
• waggon
• wagon

Kids Definition

snapdragon

noun

snap·​drag·​on ˈsnap-ˌdrag-ən 

: a widely grown herb having showy usually pink, red, white, or yellow two-lipped flowers