daffodil

noun

daf·​fo·​dil ˈda-fə-ˌdil How to pronounce daffodil (audio)
: any of various perennial bulbous herbs (genus Narcissus) of the amaryllis family
especially : one whose flowers have a large corona elongated into a trumpet compare jonquil, narcissus

Examples of daffodil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Princess Kate, 41, wore a dress by Alexander McQueen (the designer behind her 2011 wedding gown — also debuted at Westminster Abbey) in ivory silk crepe with silver bullion and thread work embroidery featuring rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motifs — symbolizing the U.K.'s four nations. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 6 May 2023 Also on the table were pale-yellow daffodils, dark-yellow nasturtiums, and the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary. Helen Sullivan, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2023 The rose is also, thanks to Ronald Reagan, the official flower of the nation, but not the official flower of New York City, which was decreed the daffodil, in a short speech by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, on a spring day in 2007. Adam Iscoe, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2023 One was daffodil yellow lined in milk-shake pink; the other, swimming-pool aqua lined in lavender. Town & Country, 17 Aug. 2023 Princess Charlotte, 8, matched her mom in an Alexander McQueen dress and cape with ivory satin stitch embroidery featuring rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motifs (to signify the four nations of the U.K.). Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 6 May 2023 Paris Fashion Week Spring 2024 Trend: Pale Yellow Photo: Courtesy of Loewe A pastel shade of yellow appeared on the Paris Fashion Week runways like daffodils in early spring. Irina Grechko, refinery29.com, 5 Oct. 2023 The little princess was regal in the white Alexander McQueen dress with pleated cape, embroidered with a rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motif for the flowers of the United Kingdom. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 6 May 2023 One more trick is to try layering less appealing bulbs, such as daffodils, on top of the tastier ones. Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 7 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'daffodil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Dutch de affodil the asphodel

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of daffodil was in 1548

Dictionary Entries Near daffodil

Cite this Entry

“Daffodil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/daffodil. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

daffodil

noun
daf·​fo·​dil ˈdaf-ə-ˌdil How to pronounce daffodil (audio)
: any of various herbs that produce long slender leaves and flowers from an overwintering bulb in the spring
especially : one with petals whose inner parts are arranged to form a trumpet-shaped tube compare jonquil, narcissus

More from Merriam-Webster on daffodil

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