tulip

[too-lip, tyoo-]

noun

1. any of various plants belonging to the genus Tulipa, of the lily family, cultivated in many varieties, and having lance-shaped leaves and large, showy, usually erect, cup-shaped or bell-shaped flowers in a variety of colors.

2. a flower or bulb of such a plant.

tulip

/ ˈtjuːlɪp /

noun

1. any spring-blooming liliaceous plant of the temperate Eurasian genus Tulipa , having tapering bulbs, long broad pointed leaves, and single showy bell-shaped flowers

2. the flower or bulb of any of these plants

Other Word Forms

• tuliplike adjective
• tulip-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tulip¹

1570–80; earlier tulipa < New Latin, apparently back formation from Italian tulipano (taken as adj.) < Turkish tülbent turban (from a fancied likeness); turban

Word History and Origins

Origin of tulip¹

C17: from New Latin tulipa , from Turkish tülbend turban, which the opened bloom was thought to resemble

Example Sentences

Investors paid enormous sums for tulip bulbs in the early 17th century, thinking their prices would rise indefinitely and fund the construction of houses and businesses.

Read more on Barron's

An "incredible" garden of about half a million colourful tulips is being hosted in Warwickshire for the first time.

Read more on BBC

Why it should do so now, in a manner similar to the witch delusions that periodically swept medieval Europe or the Dutch tulip mania, has been much debated.

Read more on Salon

Did you know there were nine million tulips in “Wicked”? How could it not win?

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The logo depicted a red tulip and a golden wattle - the national flowers of Australia and Afghanistan - entwined around a cricket ball.

Read more on BBC