lupine

¹ American  

[loo-pin] / ˈlu pɪn /

noun

1. any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Lupinus, of the legume family, as L. albus white lupine, of Europe, bearing edible seeds, or L. perennis, of the eastern U.S., having tall, dense clusters of blue, pink, or white flowers.

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lupine ² American  

[loo-pahyn] / ˈlu paɪn /

adjective

1. pertaining to or resembling the wolf.

2. related to the wolf.

3. savage; ravenous; predatory.

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lupine British  

/ ˈluːpaɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a wolf

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lupine Scientific  

/ lo̅o̅′pīn′ /

1. Characteristic of or resembling wolves.

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Etymology

Origin of lupine¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin lupīnus, lupīnum, apparently noun use of lupīnus lupine ²; compare German wolfsbohne lupine, literally, wolf bean

Origin of lupine²

1650–60; < Latin lupīnus of a wolf, equivalent to lup ( us ) wolf + -īnus -ine ¹

Explanation

When something reminds you of a wolf, you can describe it as lupine. German shepherds are much more lupine than pugs are. A lupine person, animal, or thing shares some of the characteristics of a wolf. You might describe your brother's sharp-toothed smile as slightly lupine, worry about your sister's lupine habit of howling at the full moon, or admire your dog's noble lupine profile. The adjective lupine comes from the French word of the same name, with Latin roots: lupinus, "of the wolf," from lupus, "wolf."

Example Sentences

"The next North Korean Amateur Open is hoped to take place in 2026," the website for the event, sponsored by Britain-based Lupine Travel, said.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

What is perhaps more surprising is that Heeney and two other members of the group she led for Lupine Tours earlier this year were women - and they were far from the only ones.

From BBC • Jul. 20, 2024

An updated missing person’s flier says he was last seen on the Lupine Meadows trail system leading to those lakes.

From New York Times • Jun. 11, 2022

Ganz’s passion led to her writing an “L&O” parody episode of “Community” in 2012 titled “Basic Lupine Urology,” a play on Dick Wolf’s name.

From Washington Post • Mar. 9, 2022

He offers to her the Lupine, the Blue-eyed Grass, and the Tufted Vetch, "blue, inclining in spots to purple"; it affected him deeply to see such an abundance of blueness in the grass.

From Old-Time Gardens Newly Set Forth by Earle, Alice Morse