poppy

noun

pop·​py ˈpä-pē 

plural poppies

1

a

: any of a genus (Papaver of the family Papaveraceae, the poppy family) of chiefly annual or perennial herbs with milky juice, showy regular flowers, and capsular fruits including the opium poppy and several forms cultivated as ornamentals

b

: an extract or decoction of poppy used medicinally

2

: a strong reddish orange

Examples of poppy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If the plant is a variety that produces just one flower on each plant, such as Bombay celosia, foxglove, or annual poppies, pinching back is not appropriate. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 May 2026

For those who find the poppy colorway a bit too vibrant, the set also comes in white with brown embroidery detail. —Morgan Evans, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 May 2026

Normally, this time of year for Bay Area residents means blooms of orange poppies, graduation announcements and hand-wringing over the San Francisco Giants’ record. —Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 26 May 2026

One Girl Scout from Miami Beach, Tala Shaal, walked through the crowd handing out poppy flowers in support of military veterans. —Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 25 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English popi, from Old English popæg, popig, modification of Latin papaver

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing poppy

• California poppy
• corn poppy
• Iceland poppy
• opium poppy
• Oriental poppy
• poppy seed
• prickly poppy
• Shirley poppy

Rhymes for poppy

• choppy
• copy
• floppy
• sloppy
• atopy
• photocopy

Kids Definition

poppy

noun

pop·​py ˈpäp-ē 

plural poppies

: any of a genus of herbs that have milky juice, showy flowers, and a fruit that is a capsule and include one that is the source of opium and several that are grown as ornamental plants

Medical Definition

poppy

noun

pop·​py ˈpäp-ē 

plural poppies

: any herb of the genus Papaver (family Papaveraceae, the poppy family)

especially : opium poppy