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

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

The English actress, 30, was up for the role of Daphne Bridgerton, one of the protagonists in Season 1 of the period romance series.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

The characters, Darcy and Daphne Davenport, are played by star of Slumdog Millionaire and Monkey Man Patel, and McEwen, who has appeared in Black Mirror and science fiction film Vesper.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

The Leiden Collection, named after Rembrandt’s native city, was formed by Thomas S. Kaplan and his wife, Daphne Recanati Kaplan.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 24, 2026

Now that Char has finally stole Worm away from Daphne, she don’t even want him no more.

From "The Skin I'm In" by Sharon G. Flake