narcissus

noun

nar·​cis·​sus när-ˈsi-səs 

1

capitalized : a beautiful youth in Greek mythology who pines away for love of his own reflection and is then turned into the narcissus flower

2

plural narcissi när-ˈsi-ˌsī 

-(ˌ)sē

or narcissuses or narcissus : daffodil

especially : one whose flowers have a short corona and are usually borne separately

Examples of narcissus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Best Bulbs to Plant in Lawns Start with smaller bulbs like snowdrops, crocus, grape hyacinth, or shorter-growing narcissus, which will die back fastest. —Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2025

Each of the 68 suites of the five-star hotel is different from the other not only in the way it is furnished with artisan pieces by Italian designers but also inspired by a different olfactory note, such as gardenia, narcissus, vetiver and sandalwood. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 5 Aug. 2025

Amazon lilies have year-round green foliage and narcissus like blooms for the winter months. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2025

The bulbs — which include tulips, narcissus, hyacinths and irises — are usually covered by other crops that winter visitors can view. —Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek Nárkissos, probably so named after the flower; (sense 2) borrowed from New Latin, genus name, going back to Latin, "plant of the genus Narcissus," borrowed from Greek nárkissos, of pre-Greek substratal origin

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for narcissus

• abscissas
• symphysis
• adenohypophysis
• apophysis
• diaphysis
• dionysus
• epiphysis
• hemolysis
• hypophysis
• metaphysis
• diaphoresis
• electrophoresis

Kids Definition

narcissus

noun

nar·​cis·​sus när-ˈsis-əs 

plural narcissi -ˈsis-ˌī 

-ē

or narcissuses or narcissus

: daffodil

especially : one whose flowers have a short tube and grow separately on the stalk