crocus

noun

cro·​cus ˈkrō-kəs 

plural crocuses

1

a

plural also crocus or croci ˈkrō-ˌkē 

-ˌkī,

-ˌsī

: any of a genus (Crocus) of herbs of the iris family developing from corms and having solitary long-tubed flowers and slender linear leaves

b

: saffron sense 1a

2

: a dark red ferric oxide used for polishing metals

Did you know?

A low-growing plant with a corm, the crocus belongs to the iris family. There are about 75 species of crocus. They are native to the Alps, southern Europe, and the Mediterranean and are widely grown for their cuplike blooms in early spring or fall. The spring-flowering sorts have a floral tube so long that the ovary is below ground, sheltered from climatic changes. Saffron comes from a species of crocus that is native to western Asia. The alpine crocus is the chief ancestor of the common garden crocus.

Examples of crocus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bright, medium deep yellow; expressive aromas of Anjou pear, melon, yellow crocus and a hint of grapefruit. —Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Tuck crocus along pathways or mass in woodland gardens and watch winter-weary bees flock to the blooms. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025

Also, don’t rule out planting bulbs like daffodils, snowdrops, and crocuses. —Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025

Saffron Saffron is a spice from the saffron crocus flower. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, the saffron plant, from Latin, from Greek krokos, of Semitic origin; akin to Akkadian kurkānū saffron

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing crocus

• autumn crocus

Rhymes for crocus

• focus
• hocus
• locus
• autofocus
• defocus
• refocus

Kids Definition

crocus

noun

cro·​cus ˈkrō-kəs 

plural crocuses

1

plural also crocus or croci -ˌkē 

-ˌkī,

-ˌsī

: any of a genus of small herbs that are related to the irises and have showy solitary long-tubed flowers and slender grasslike leaves

2

: saffron sense 1

Medical Definition

crocus

noun

cro·​cus ˈkrō-kəs 

plural crocuses

1

plural also crocus or croci -ˌkē, -ˌkī, -ˌsī  : any of a large genus (Crocus) of perennial herbs of the iris family (Iridaceae)

2

: saffron sense 1