Daphne

American  

[daf-nee] / ˈdæf ni /

noun

1. Classical Mythology. a nymph who, when pursued by Apollo, was saved by being changed into a laurel tree.

2. (lowercase) any Eurasian shrub belonging to the genus Daphne, certain species of which, as D. mezereum, are cultivated for their fragrant flowers.

3. a female given name.

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Daphne ¹ British  

/ ˈdæfnɪ /

noun

1. Greek myth a nymph who was saved from the amorous attentions of Apollo by being changed into a laurel tree

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daphne ² British  

/ ˈdæfnɪ /

noun

1. any shrub of the Eurasian thymelaeaceous genus Daphne, such as the mezereon and spurge laurel: ornamentals with shiny evergreen leaves and clusters of small bell-shaped flowers See also laurel

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Etymology

Origin of Daphne

< Latin Daphnē < Greek dáphnē laurel

Example Sentences

Spaceballs: The New One will see the return of several original cast members, including Brooks, George Wyner, Daphne Zuniga and Bill Pullman.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Ursula has shades of Gellar’s famous characters — Buffy’s physical ferocity, Kathryn Merteuil’s ruthless cattiness, Daphne Blake’s affinity for mysterious games — but doesn’t play to one exclusively.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

For Daphne du Maurier, Fowey struck a chord.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

The narrator of Daphne du Maurier’s lush saga begins at a disadvantage.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Then she heads for the other side of the room and sits down on the denim sofa between Daphne and Kaitlyn.

From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner