ranunculus

noun

ra·​nun·​cu·​lus rə-ˈnəŋ-kyə-ləs How to pronounce ranunculus (audio)
plural ranunculus or ranunculuses or ranunculi rə-ˈnəŋ-kyə-ˌlī How to pronounce ranunculus (audio)
-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 The book is about flower bulb grower Luther Gage, who cultivated the giant Tecolote ranunculus, which can be seen at The Flower Fields in Carlsbad. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024 Despite the February slush outside, bouquets of orange ranunculus adorned the tables. Vogue, 14 Feb. 2024 Pair with yellow and orange ranunculus, tulips, or other spring flowers in similar tones from the grocery store. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2024 It's located in plant hardiness zone 8, which is ideal for roses, peonies, and ranunculus. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2024 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ranunculus was in 1543

Dictionary Entries Near ranunculus

Cite this Entry

“Ranunculus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ranunculus. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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