daffodil

[daf-uh-dil]

noun

1. a bulbous plant, Narcissus pseudonarcissus, of the amaryllis family, having solitary, yellow, nodding flowers that bloom in the spring.

2. (formerly) any plant of the genus Narcissus.

3. clear yellow; canary.

adjective

1. of the color daffodil.

daffodil

/ ˈdæfədɪl /

noun

1. Also called: Lent lily. a widely cultivated Eurasian amaryllidaceous plant, Narcissus pseudonarcissus, having spring-blooming yellow flowers

2. any other plant of the genus Narcissus

3. 1. a brilliant yellow colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      daffodil paint

4. a daffodil, or a representation of one, as a national emblem of Wales

Word History and Origins

Origin of daffodil¹

1530–40; unexplained variant of Middle English affodile < Vulgar Latin affodillus, variant of asphodelus < Greek asphódelos asphodel

Word History and Origins

Origin of daffodil¹

C14: from Dutch de affodil the asphodel, from Medieval Latin affodillus, variant of Latin asphodelus _asphodel

Example Sentences

The 37-year-old cradled her bump and smiled for the cameras while appearing on the red carpet, which was navy with daffodils.

From BBC

Rare British daffodils may be hiding in plain sight in gardens and parks and experts want to track them down.

From BBC

Twin Peaks, a tiny town near Lake Arrowhead, has planted thousands of daffodil bulbs as part of the Julie Greer Daffodil Project.

From Los Angeles Times

The family opened a second farm in Artesia for daffodils and daisies, before the suburban sprawl pushed them out.

From Los Angeles Times

She experimented with drought-tolerant trees and shrubs including lavenders and even bulbs like daffodils, but “I began to realize that so much of what I planted wasn’t doing well,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adage 
• aphorism 
• axiom 
• dictum 
• epigram 
• maxim 
• witticism