Classical Mythology. a nymph who, when pursued by Apollo, was saved by being changed into a laurel tree.
(lowercase) any Eurasian shrub belonging to the genus Daphne, certain species of which, as D. mezereum, are cultivated for their fragrant flowers.
a female given name.
< Latin Daphnē < Greek dáphnē laurel
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Paralympic medallist Daphne Schrager insists she has "never cheated" after being given a two-year ban following an "unintentional" positive test for a banned substance.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Rodriguez will wear the number 16 shirt and will compete for minutes with Daphne van Domselaar and Anneke Borbe, both of whom struggled with injuries last season.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
“Many of us, our families have PTSD,” said Daphne Amezcua, 21, a child development social worker at the Casa México LA event.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2026
Daphne says she is delighted that the study has finally reached completion.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 12, 2026
I remember when Ms. Beth sent for Daphne after school.
From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
The porch is a great place to feature a plant: Some of Olander’s favorites include the fragrant daphne for some sensory romance, and an uplit Japanese maple to add drama.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 10, 2022
A: Your daphne was likely damaged last year during the Pacific Northwest’s heat spells, with the most severe damage probably occurring in late June and early July when a heat dome stressed everyone and everything.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 8, 2022
At that time, the daphne hadn’t yet extended its roots into the surrounding soil, so it was unable to remain fully hydrated.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 8, 2022
No garden should be without hellebores or a daphne or two, winterberry hollies and witch hazels.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 19, 2019
When my mother came across an unusual one, she would give an “Oh” of joy and tell me its name: daphne, wild heliotrope, pink orchid.
From "Homesick" by Jean Fritz
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
