ranunculus
noun
ra·nun·cu·lus
rə-ˈnəŋ-kyə-ləs 
plural ranunculus or ranunculuses or ranunculi
rə-ˈnəŋ-kyə-ˌlī
-ˌlē
: any of a large genus (Ranunculus of the family Ranunculaceae, the buttercup family) of chiefly perennial herbaceous plants with tuberous or fibrous roots and typically yellow, five-petaled, cup-shaped flowers and including one (R. asiaticus) of southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia widely cultivated for its white, yellow, pink, red, or orange flowers having multiple layers of petals see buttercup, lesser celandine
Examples of ranunculus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Knudson adds that ranunculus and spirea are also excellent choices for a spring wedding arrangement.
—
Shelby Wax, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2023
Kristen also carried a bouquet of garden roses, ranunculus and eucalyptus down the aisle.
—Kaitlin Stevens, Peoplemag, 11 Oct. 2023
Next, bring in blooms with some movement or curve to the stem, such as tulips or ranunculus.
—Michelle Brunner, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2023
Informational signs, which abound on the grounds, inform that the resident Tecolote giant ranunculus is a member of the buttercup family native to Asia Minor.
—Lola Sherman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2023
The pattern of pansies, violets, and ranunculus created a dense bouquet of purples, pinks, yellows, and whites across her bust and waist, and slowly dissipated closer to the dress’s clean white hemline.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2023
In Carlsbad, about 0.60 inches fell, giving the ranunculus a rinsing at Flower Fields along Interstate 5.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2021
Create an ombre effect by adding white roses on one side, light pink flowers like ranunculus and roses in the middle, and darker pink peonies on the end.
—Emma Phelps, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2023
Burgundy ranunculus steal the show, while subdued lamb's ear softens the flower's rich color.
—Molly Miller, House Beautiful, 29 July 2023
See More
Shelby Wax, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2023
Kristen also carried a bouquet of garden roses, ranunculus and eucalyptus down the aisle.
—Kaitlin Stevens, Peoplemag, 11 Oct. 2023
Next, bring in blooms with some movement or curve to the stem, such as tulips or ranunculus.
—Michelle Brunner, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2023
Informational signs, which abound on the grounds, inform that the resident Tecolote giant ranunculus is a member of the buttercup family native to Asia Minor.
—Lola Sherman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2023
The pattern of pansies, violets, and ranunculus created a dense bouquet of purples, pinks, yellows, and whites across her bust and waist, and slowly dissipated closer to the dress’s clean white hemline.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2023
In Carlsbad, about 0.60 inches fell, giving the ranunculus a rinsing at Flower Fields along Interstate 5.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2021
Create an ombre effect by adding white roses on one side, light pink flowers like ranunculus and roses in the middle, and darker pink peonies on the end.
—Emma Phelps, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2023
Burgundy ranunculus steal the show, while subdued lamb's ear softens the flower's rich color.
—Molly Miller, House Beautiful, 29 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ranunculus.' 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
New Latin, from Latin, from diminutive of rana frog
First Known Use
1543, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near ranunculus
Cite this Entry
“Ranunculus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ranunculus. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.
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