Synonyms

buttercup

American

[buht-er-kuhp] / ˈbʌt ərˌkʌp /

noun

any of numerous plants of the genus Ranunculus, having glossy yellow flowers and deeply cut leaves.

buttercup British

/ ˈbʌtəˌkʌp /

noun

any of various yellow-flowered ranunculaceous plants of the genus Ranunculus , such as R. acris (meadow buttercup), which is native to Europe but common throughout North America See also crowfoot goldilocks spearwort lesser celandine

"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

Etymology

Origin of buttercup

1505–15; butter + cup, from color and shape of flower

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.

They have bucked up, buttercup, and look at them now.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026

Well, buckle up, buttercup, because here you’ll find an assortment of day hikes and weekend camping ideas that will have you filing for vacation before you realize you’re typing an email to your boss.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2025

The color of this silk rug coincides with the 55-pound buttercup yellow gown with a forever train that Guo designed for Rihanna to wear at the 2015 Met Gala.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 12, 2022

A moth, Micropterix calthella, covered in golden balls of pollen from a creeping buttercup flower found in Mutter's Moor, near Sidmouth, Devon.

From BBC • Aug. 10, 2022

"Bring me a day dress instead. The lavender one. No, the buttercup yellow with the ruffled sleeves."

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

buttercup

noun

noun

Etymology

Origin of buttercup

Example Sentences

Related Words