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

Then, grab showier flowers like lilies, hydrangeas, roses, sunflowers, peonies, dahlias, or ranunculus. —Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025

Flower Fields The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch are in peak bloom with 55 acres of giant tecolote ranunculuses. —Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025

Gachot fills them with springtime blooms like garden tulips, cherry blossoms, poppies, daffodils, and pale pink ranunculus. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025

Flower Fields nearing peak bloom The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch are approaching peak bloom with 55 acres of giant tecolote ranunculuses. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, from diminutive of rana frog

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined above