lupine

¹ American  

[loo-pin] / ˈlu pɪn /

noun

1. any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Lupinus, of the legume family, as L. albus white lupine, of Europe, bearing edible seeds, or L. perennis, of the eastern U.S., having tall, dense clusters of blue, pink, or white flowers.

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lupine ² American  

[loo-pahyn] / ˈlu paɪn /

adjective

1. pertaining to or resembling the wolf.

2. related to the wolf.

3. savage; ravenous; predatory.

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lupine British  

/ ˈluːpaɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a wolf

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lupine Scientific  

/ lo̅o̅′pīn′ /

1. Characteristic of or resembling wolves.

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Etymology

Origin of lupine¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin lupīnus, lupīnum, apparently noun use of lupīnus lupine ²; compare German wolfsbohne lupine, literally, wolf bean

Origin of lupine²

1650–60; < Latin lupīnus of a wolf, equivalent to lup ( us ) wolf + -īnus -ine ¹

Explanation

When something reminds you of a wolf, you can describe it as lupine. German shepherds are much more lupine than pugs are. A lupine person, animal, or thing shares some of the characteristics of a wolf. You might describe your brother's sharp-toothed smile as slightly lupine, worry about your sister's lupine habit of howling at the full moon, or admire your dog's noble lupine profile. The adjective lupine comes from the French word of the same name, with Latin roots: lupinus, "of the wolf," from lupus, "wolf."

Example Sentences

Home to hundreds of different flowers, the hillsides of Conejo Open Space are covered in yellow monkeyflowers, lupine, California poppies and owl’s clover.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

The bright yellow desert gold is currently one of the most prominent flowers on display, alongside brown-eyed primrose, grape soda lupine and desert star.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

Traditional European breweries — like those run by Belgian monks hewing to centuries-old methods — retain the fruity signature of yeast in its untamed, lupine form, he said.

From New York Times • Jun. 20, 2024

In addition to stalking butterflies, teams also tally the bloom stages of key host plants: lupine, asters, paintbrush and daisies.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 15, 2024

He looked even more lupine than before, old and grizzled with no eyebrows.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss