lotus

American  

[loh-tuhs] / ˈloʊ təs /

noun

lotuses plural

1. a plant believed to be a jujube or elm, referred to in Greek legend as yielding a fruit that induced a state of dreamy and contented forgetfulness in those who ate it.

2. the fruit itself.

3. any aquatic plant of the genus Nelumbo, of the water lily family, having shieldlike leaves and showy, solitary flowers usually projecting above the water.

4. any of several water lilies of the genus Nymphaea.

5. a decorative motif derived from such a plant and used widely in ancient art, as on the capitals of Egyptian columns.

6. any shrubby plant of the genus Lotus, of the legume family, having red, pink, yellow, or white flowers.

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lotus British  

/ ˈləʊtəs /

noun

1. (in Greek mythology) a fruit that induces forgetfulness and a dreamy languor in those who eat it

2. the plant bearing this fruit, thought to be the jujube, the date, or any of various other plants

3. any of several water lilies of tropical Africa and Asia, esp the white lotus ( Nymphaea lotus ), which was regarded as sacred in ancient Egypt

4. a similar plant, Nelumbo nucifera, which is the sacred lotus of India, China, and Tibet and also sacred in Egypt: family Nelumbonaceae

5. a representation of such a plant, common in Hindu, Buddhist, and ancient Egyptian carving and decorative art

6. any leguminous plant of the genus Lotus, of the Old World and North America, having yellow, pink, or white pealike flowers

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• lotuses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of lotus

1530–40; < Latin lōtus, lōtos < Greek lōtós the lotus plant, perhaps of Semitic origin

Example Sentences

Robbins has owned 16 Lotus vehicles over the years.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

“It does not matter what Lotus you have. The steering is always excellent, and the road feel is excellent,” said Ross Robbins, president of a Lotus enthusiasts club in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

Britain’s Lotus LOT 0.00%increase; green up pointing triangle is known for its lightweight sports cars, its appearances in James Bond films, and its many brushes with financial collapse.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

One of his two current cars, a 1965 Lotus Elan, is a prized possession.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

“Come along, my little Lotus, quicken your hoofbeats. It is not every day we may walk with one so young and wise. Though indeed, I believe he is trying to run away from us.”

From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw