chrysanthemum
Americannoun
-
any of several composite plants of the genus Chrysanthemum, as C. leucanthemum, the oxeye daisy, having white ray flowers with a yellow center.
-
any cultivated variety of the plant C. morifolium, native to China, and of other species of Chrysanthemum, notable for the diversity of color and size of their autumnal flowers.
-
the flower of any such plant.
noun
-
any widely cultivated plant of the genus Chrysanthemum, esp C. morifolium of China, having brightly coloured showy flower heads: family Asteraceae (composites)
-
any other plant of the genus Chrysanthemum, such as oxeye daisy
Usage
What does chrysanthemum mean? The name chrysanthemum is used to refer to a number of plants known for their showy flowers that come in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, pink, purple, red, and yellow. The name can refer to the flower or the plant and can be used for any plant in the genus Chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemums are often referred to with the shortened name mums. Chrysanthemums are one of the November birth flowers (a flower that’s associated with a particular month in the same way as a birthstone). In parts of the U. S., chrysanthemums are a popular decoration for the fall season. The flowers also have cultural significance in East Asia, particularly In Japan and China. The chrysanthemum is the official flower of the city of Chicago. Example: In the fall, we like to decorate our front port with chrysanthemums and pumpkins.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of chrysanthemum
1570–80; < Latin < Greek chrȳsánthemon, equivalent to chrȳs- chrys- + ánthemon flower, akin to ánthos; see antho-
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It’s the modern-day version of a row of bayonets facing down an anti-war demonstrator with a chrysanthemum, with an added veneer of 2025 stupidity courtesy of Subway.
From Slate ● Aug. 15, 2025
In the converted barn's main room, Elizabethan ballads drifted through smoke-thick air as someone scattered chrysanthemum petals across a sheepskin rug.
From Salon ● Apr. 19, 2025
The Weibo microblogging platform turned its "like" button into a "mourn" icon in the shape of a chrysanthemum on its mobile app.
From Reuters ● Oct. 27, 2023
Across the garden plots: chrysanthemum leaves, purple sugar peas, goji berries and common purslane, a leafy vegetable that is eaten stir-fried or put into salads.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 20, 2023
Blue-furred, orange-eyed, red-fanged, a tiger snarled upon his left biceps; a spitting snake, coiled around a dagger, slithered down his arm; and elsewhere skulls gleamed, a tombstone loomed, a chrysanthemum flourished.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
The story leaps two autumns ahead, when Odd happens along and helps Sook and Buddy as they struggle to haul a tub of chrysanthemums to their porch.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025
There are carnations, chrysanthemums, and an abundance of roses in almost every hue.
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2024
The painting features the president against a lush backdrop of chrysanthemums, jasmine and African blue lilies.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2024
Jim and Ruth Youngsman had founded Skagit Gardens in 1966, starting with a single greenhouse measuring 20 feet by 150 feet and raising chrysanthemums for Mother’s Day, according to company and media accounts.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 8, 2024
I unpack Didu's suitcase of Hindu gods and goddesses and decide to display them near our grandfather's portrait, which just received a fresh string of chrysanthemums.
From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins
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.
