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.
The symbolism, like the scar Daphne has from the car accident, is clear and obvious.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026
Daphne and Eddie bond within seconds of reuniting, and their conversations are marked by heartstring-tugging private references and shared epiphanies.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026
Lindsey Heaps had her seventh-minute opener disallowed by referee Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi, who believed Ingrid Engen and Ada Hegerberg were in an offside position in front of Arsenal keeper Daphne van Domselaar.
From BBC • May 2, 2026
That high press caused Lyon to wilt in the north London sunshine; mistakes contributed to both Arsenal goals, while the visitors' all-star attack didn't force Daphne van Domselaar into a single save.
From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026
I wonder if he realizes how bad off Daphne is.
From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
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.
