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• narcissus
  narcissus

  noun

  any bulbous plant belonging to the genus Narcissus, of the amaryllis family, having showy yellow or white flowers with a cup-shaped corona.
• Narcissus
  Narcissus

  noun

  Greek myth a beautiful youth who fell in love with his reflection in a pool and pined away, becoming the flower that bears his name

narcissus

American  

[nahr-sis-uhs] / nɑrˈsɪs əs /

noun

plural

narcissus, narcissuses, narcissi

1. any bulbous plant belonging to the genus Narcissus, of the amaryllis family, having showy yellow or white flowers with a cup-shaped corona.

2. the flower of any of these plants.

3. (initial capital letter) a youth who fell in love with his own image reflected in a pool and wasted away from unsatisfied desire, whereupon he was transformed into the flower.

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narcissus ¹ British  

/ nɑːˈsɪsəs /

noun

1. any amaryllidaceous plant of the Eurasian genus Narcissus, esp N. poeticus, whose yellow, orange, or white flowers have a crown surrounded by spreading segments

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Narcissus ² British  

/ nɑːˈsɪsəs /

noun

1. Greek myth a beautiful youth who fell in love with his reflection in a pool and pined away, becoming the flower that bears his name

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Narcissus Cultural  

1. A beautiful youth in classical mythology who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool. Because he was unable to tear himself away from the image, he wasted away and died.

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Usage

What does narcissus mean? A narcissus is a showy, cup- or trumpet-shaped flower that comes in white, yellow, and orange varieties. The name narcissus is also used for any plant in the genus Narcissus. The plural forms of narcissus are narcissuses and narcissi. Common varieties include the daffodil (scientific name Narcissus pseudonarcissus), the jonquil (N. jonquilla), and the paper-white narcissus (N. tazetta). The narcissus is popular for bouquets and gardens. Narcissus is one of the December birth flowers (a flower that’s associated with a particular month in the same way as a birthstone). Example: The narcissus is one of my favorite flowers—I just love its trumpet shape.

Discover More

“Narcissists” are people completely absorbed in themselves. (See narcissism.)

Etymology

Origin of narcissus

1540–50; < Latin < Greek nárkissos plant name, traditionally connected, by virtue of plant's narcotic effects, with nárkē numbness, torpor. See narcotic

Example Sentences

Experts across the country would then be able to "examine and give us a definitive answer" if those discovered by the public are Narcissus 'Mrs R.O Backhouse'.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

These new forms of entertainment are becoming the lake to our Narcissus: You can gaze into your phone and see yourself staring back, having all kinds of thrills, spills and chills.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

McLuhan likened our contemporary ills to the often misunderstood myth of Narcissus.

From Slate • Jul. 28, 2025

Don’t forget that Narcissus drowned after he became weak because he was unable to look away from his reflection in the water.

From Salon • Nov. 7, 2023

She was holding an autograph pen and a crumpled poster of Narcissus.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan