Classical Mythology. a nymph who, when pursued by Apollo, was saved by being changed into a laurel tree.
(lowercase) any Eurasian shrub belonging to the genus Daphne, certain species of which, as D. mezereum, are cultivated for their fragrant flowers.
a female given name.
< Latin Daphnē < Greek dáphnē laurel
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Paralympic medallist Daphne Schrager insists she has "never cheated" after being given a two-year ban following an "unintentional" positive test for a banned substance.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Rodriguez will wear the number 16 shirt and will compete for minutes with Daphne van Domselaar and Anneke Borbe, both of whom struggled with injuries last season.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Emeritus Professor Daphne Lee recalls that she and the late Professor Ewan Fordyce immediately recognized its significance.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 12, 2026
“Whistler” is narrated by protagonist Daphne Fuller, a 54-year-old English teacher married to Jonathan, a restlessly retired doctor and hospital administrator who dotes on his wife and whom he regards as “extraordinary.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026
Bernini is completely successful in distinguishing between the soft flesh of Daphne and the rough texture of the bark and leaves.
From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson
Aromatic lilies, lavender and bee balm fill the air with sweet scent in summer, while witch hazel, daphne and other flowering shrubs provide fragrance in quieter seasons.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 30, 2022
So even though the daphne looks sad right now, don’t remove the damaged leaves.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 8, 2022
Even though the daphne was in light shade and received minimal direct sunlight, the excessive air temperatures could have been enough to damage the most exposed areas of the leaves.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 8, 2022
No garden should be without hellebores or a daphne or two, winterberry hollies and witch hazels.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 19, 2019
When my mother came across an unusual one, she would give an “Oh” of joy and tell me its name: daphne, wild heliotrope, pink orchid.
From "Homesick" by Jean Fritz
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
