hyacinth
noun
a bulbous plant, Hyacinthus orientalis, of the lily family, widely cultivated for its cylindrical cluster of fragrant flowers in a variety of colors.
hyacinth
1 American
[hahy-uh-sinth]
/ ˈhaɪ ə sɪnθ /
noun
-
hyacinths
plural
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a bulbous plant, Hyacinthus orientalis, of the lily family, widely cultivated for its cylindrical cluster of fragrant flowers in a variety of colors.
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any of various similar or related plants, as the grape hyacinth or the water hyacinth.
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a plant fabled to have sprung from the blood of Hyacinthus and variously identified as iris, gladiolus, larkspur, etc.
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Mineralogy. a reddish-orange zircon.
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a gem of the ancients, held to be the amethyst or sapphire.
Hyacinth
2
American
[hahy-uh-sinth]
/ ˈhaɪ ə sɪnθ /
noun
hyacinth
British
/ ˈhaɪəsɪnθ /
noun
-
any liliaceous plant of the Mediterranean genus Hyacinthus, esp any cultivated variety of H. orientalis, having a thick flower stalk bearing white, blue, or pink fragrant flowers
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the flower or bulb of such a plant
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any similar or related plant, such as the grape hyacinth
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Also called: jacinth. a red or reddish-brown transparent variety of the mineral zircon, used as a gemstone
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Greek myth a flower which sprang from the blood of the dead Hyacinthus
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any of the varying colours of the hyacinth flower or stone
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( as modifier )
hyacinth eyes
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of hyacinth
1545–55; < Latin hyacinthus < Greek hyákinthos blue larkspur, also a gem of blue color; cf. jacinth
Vocabulary lists containing hyacinth
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 beautifully packaged in a woven hyacinth basket and ready for gifting.
From Salon ● Dec. 4, 2025
On a bedroom shelf, Peloza set up a vignette with a candle holder topped with a pinecone, an antique wooden stamp and a hyacinth sculpture made of iron.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 13, 2023
Even more impressive is when upon command, one by one, his majestic hyacinth macaws — the world’s largest parrots by length — return obediently to perch on his arms.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 16, 2023
Now, the visitors are greeted to the sight of boats stuck in a sea of invasive green water hyacinth weed.
From Reuters ● Mar. 1, 2023
“Pod twelve—youth sector. Identify your role,” the Chancellor says, so close I can smell her sweet hyacinth breath.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
The depictions of Ruth’s uptight and stingy brother Hyacinth and jealous and mother-in-law from hell “old Mrs. Hall” are both hoots.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 27, 2026
Mourners have gathered for the funeral of actress Dame Patricia Routledge, known for playing Hyacinth Bucket in classic TV sitcom Keeping Up Appearances.
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2025
She compared the "deliciously desperate" new show, and its leading woman, to being like "a Hyacinth Bucket for 2025".
From BBC ● Feb. 6, 2025
More quirky items included two hardback copies of Hyacinth Bucket's books, from the sitcom Keeping up Appearances, which sold for £625 and a Buckingham Palace shower cap which went for £137.50.
From BBC ● Jan. 23, 2024
Hyacinth squeezed her eyes shut and curled in nearer to Papa.
From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser
They’re building floating beds of water hyacinths to grow vegetables beyond the reach of floodwaters.
From New York Times ● Jun. 25, 2023
African violets, tulips, orchids, hyacinths and cyclamen are affordable alternatives that will outlast fresh flowers, which often fade after a few days.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 2, 2022
Spring crocuses, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, irises, and all the other wonderful spring bloomers need to go through a winter chill period in order to bloom.
From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2021
Ingesting philodendrons can cause pain and irritation to your pet’s mouth and lips, and bulbs such as tulips, hyacinths and daffodils can lead to vomiting, diarrhea and drooling.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 25, 2021
It was freshly painted with borders of orchids and lilies and water hyacinths outlining each panel.
From "Rickshaw Girl" 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.
