snapdragon

noun

snap·​drag·​on ˈsnap-ˌdra-gən 

: any of a genus (Antirrhinum of the family Plantaginaceae, the plantain family) of herbs having showy tubular flowers with two-lipped coronas

especially : a widely cultivated one (A. majus) of Mediterranean origin having usually pink, red, yellow, or white flowers

Illustration of snapdragon

Examples of snapdragon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its fragrant yellow blooms, whose production increases as the weather warms, look like a cross between those of a penstemon and a snapdragon, which are familial kin. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 14 Mar. 2026

Provide ample light during germination to ensure your snapdragon seeds thrive. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026

This plant produces attractive snapdragon-like, rose-purple, pink, or white flowers from July to September. —Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026

Other cold-hardy edibles and ornamentals like spring onions, peas, kohlrabi, root vegetables, petunias, cosmos, bachelor buttons, forget-me-nots, foxglove, snapdragons, and nasturtiums are also appropriate for winter sowing. —Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 14 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from the fancied resemblance of the flowers to the face of a dragon

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for snapdragon

• anlagen
• bandwagon
• agone
• dragon
• lagan
• waggon
• wagon

Kids Definition

snapdragon

noun

snap·​drag·​on ˈsnap-ˌdrag-ən 

: a widely grown herb having showy usually pink, red, white, or yellow two-lipped flowers