Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

Xyris

noun
Save Word
Xy·​ris | \ ˈzīrə̇s\

Definition of Xyris

: a large genus (the type of the family Xyridaceae) of chiefly American marsh plants having mostly yellow flowers with three sepals of which the two lateral are small, keeled, and persistent and the other is membranous and spreading — see yellow-eyed grass

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Xyris

New Latin, from Latin, an iris, from Gk

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Xyris

Statistics for Xyris

Comments on Xyris

What made you want to look up Xyris? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

fortitude

Listen to the pronounciation of fortitude

strength of mind

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Pass the Little Ribbons: A Pasta Word Quiz

  • pasta resembling wheels with spokes
  • Match the pasta to its meaning in English: Rotelle
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games