poppy

noun pop·py \ ˈpä-pē \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of poppy

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

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Recent Examples of poppy from the Web

Besides seeing the vivid orange of fields of wild poppies, visitors can tap their toes to bands, visit the farmers market and touch birds, reptiles and insects.

— april orcutt, latimes.com, "Honor the Earth at events April 21 and 22 in Southern California," 15 Apr. 2018
After some back and forth, Kim and co-creative director Fernando Garcia proposed a series of delicate silk thread poppies embroidered across the gown, which would echo the blooms Min had chosen to decorate her reception.

— monica kim, Vogue, "Is This the Most Iconic K-Pop Wedding Dress of All Time?," 6 Apr. 2018
Even Saint-Gaudens’s allegorical figures, such as the Shaw Memorial’s angel carrying olive branches and poppies, symbols of peace and death, have a touch of grit.

— cate mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, "Bringing realism to the heroic in ‘The Sculpture of Augustus Saint-Gaudens’," 6 Apr. 2018
Opium was common in North Korea, where poppies grew all over the place, Ms. Choi said.

— New York Times, "‘We Are Ready to Die.’ Five North Korean Defectors Who Never Made It.," 25 Mar. 2018
In addition to the live tunes, the monthlong celebration also features a special display of indigo poppies, echiums, and other blue-hued blossoms and foliage.

— Philly.com, "St. Patrick's Day, Remy Ma, qFlix Philadelphia film fest, Opening Corks, and other great events, March 16-23," 14 Mar. 2018
This terrifyingly dark side of the poppy reveals itself the moment one tries to break free.

— andrew sullivan, Daily Intelligencer, "This nation pioneered modern life. Now epic numbers of Americans are killing themselves with opioids to escape it.," 20 Feb. 2018
The Santa Ynez, California vineyard, Coquelicot, take its name from the French word for poppy and its red-orange coloring.

— elaheh nozari, Bon Appetit, "Valentine's Day Gifts for the Friends and Lovers in Your Life," 7 Feb. 2018
His rollicking throwback to the Summer of Love in his psychedelic trip through the field of poppies might inspire flashbacks among audience members of a certain age.

— theodore p. mahne, NOLA.com, "Exuberant performances, top-notch voices enliven 'The Wiz'," 14 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'poppy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of poppy

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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POPPY Defined for English Language Learners

poppy

noun

Definition of poppy for English Language Learners

: a type of plant that has bright red or orange flowers and that is the source of opium; also : its flower

POPPY Defined for Kids

poppy

noun pop·py \ ˈpä-pē \

Definition of poppy for Students

plural poppies

: a plant with a hairy stem and showy usually red, yellow, or white flowers

Medical Dictionary

poppy

noun pop·py \ ˈpäp-ē \

medical Definition of poppy

plural poppies

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

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See words that rhyme with poppy Spanish Central: Translation of poppy Nglish: Translation of poppy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of poppy for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about poppy

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