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primrose

1 American  
[prim-rohz] / ˈprɪmˌroʊz /

noun

primroses plural
  1. any plant of the genus Primula, as P. vulgaris English primrose, of Europe, having yellow flowers, or P. sinensis Chinese primrose, of China, having flowers in a variety of colors.

  2. evening primrose.

  3. pale yellow.


adjective

  1. of or relating to the primrose.

  2. Also primrosed abounding in primroses.

    a primrose garden.

  3. of a pale yellow.

Primrose 2 American  
[prim-rohz] / ˈprɪmˌroʊz /

noun

  1. Archibald Philip, 5th Earl of Rosebery. Rosebery, Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of.


primrose British  
/ ˈprɪmˌrəʊz /

noun

  1. any of various temperate primulaceous plants of the genus Primula, esp P. vulgaris of Europe, which has pale yellow flowers

  2. short for evening primrose

  3. Also called: primrose yellow.  a light to moderate yellow, sometimes with a greenish tinge

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or abounding in primroses

  2. of the colour primrose

  3. pleasant or gay

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of primrose

1375–1425; late Middle English primerose < Medieval Latin prīma rosa first rose

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sally Lugg from Primrose Herd Butchery said her business had lost "at least £10,000".

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

Andy Primrose, who runs a small hostel on Ulva, said the bumper year had boosted small businesses on the island.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

Island resident Andy Primrose told BBC Scotland News the influx of visitors had helped local businesses.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

The Lescoulies’ cows were in Venice; a Mr. Martin kept his on Primrose Avenue in Hollywood, where the early farmhouse was lately priced at about $2 million.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

During her stay in Primrose Hill she borrowed her uncles typewriter, took over the dining room and typed out her final draft with her forefingers.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

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