marigold

American  

[mar-i-gohld] / ˈmær ɪˌgoʊld /

noun

• marigolds
  plural

1. any of several chiefly golden-flowered composite plants, especially of the genus Tagetes, as T. erecta, having strong-scented foliage and yielding an oil that repels root parasites.

2. any of several unrelated plants, especially of the genus Calendula, as C. officinalis, the pot marigold.

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marigold British  

/ ˈmærɪˌɡəʊld /

noun

1. any of various tropical American plants of the genus Tagetes, esp T. erecta ( African marigold ) and T. patula ( French marigold ), cultivated for their yellow or orange flower heads and strongly scented foliage: family Asteraceae (composites)

2. any of various similar or related plants, such as the marsh marigold, pot marigold, bur marigold, and fig marigold

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Usage

What does marigold mean? A marigold is a bright orange or yellow flower. The name marigold can be used for any plant in the genus Tagetes. The plants are known for their flowers and fragrant leaves. Common varieties include the French marigold (Tagetes patula), the African marigold (Tagetes erecta), and the Signet marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia). Other unrelated plant species referred to as marigolds include the fig marigold, pot marigold, bur marigold, and marsh marigold. Marigolds are often planted in gardens and are known to attract pollinators. Marigold flowers have cultural significance in Mexico and India, where they are often used for celebrations. Marigolds are also sometimes used in herbal medicine and even in cooking—most marigold flowers are edible. Marigolds are one of the birth flowers for October (a flower that’s associated with a particular month in the same way as a birthstone). Example: I planted marigolds next to my cabbages this year.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• marigolds
  plural

Etymology

Origin of marigold

1300–50; Middle English; see Mary (the Virgin), gold

Compare meaning

How does marigold compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• calendula vs. marigold

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

marigold marigolds

Smith makes treats like Skittles, gummy bears and pasta festooned with marigold petals, narrating each step in a baby-soft voice while wearing dreamy fits.

From Salon ● Sep. 12, 2026

The Erawan Shrine remains a popular draw for Chinese and other tourists to the Thai capital, and dozens of visitors made traditional offerings of marigold garlands and incense as usual on Thursday.

From Barron's ● Jun. 11, 2026

One group of ash-smeared men, some naked and some dressed in just loin cloth or marigold garland draped around their necks, marched in holding tridents, swords and small two-headed drums.

From BBC ● Jan. 12, 2025

Pennes also planted Mexican marigold to help repel pests and attract wildlife.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2024

Kay put on one of the left-hand gauntlets and called Cully from the perch—but Cully, with all his feathers close-set and malevolent, glared at him with a mad marigold eye and refused to come.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

My oldest, who is 14, ducks behind our raised garden beds, where orange marigolds and sprawling tomato branches shield her from his view.

From Slate ● Sep. 5, 2026

Aguilar’s Day of the Dead celebration included an altar, marigolds, plenty of skulls, papel picado, and even a few heartfelt moments remembering his late parents, legendary musicians and actors Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 2, 2024

These include citronella, a few other geranium varieties, plus marigolds, lemongrass, catnip, certain types of mint, lavender, and lantana.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 14, 2024

Surrounding about 10 bodies shrouded in white cloth in a tarpaulin tent, relatives prepared garlands of marigolds for the Hindu cremation rites held on the banks of the Bheri River.

From Reuters ● Nov. 5, 2023

Then we sat in lawn chairs out by the garden and watched dragonflies flit over the tops of the marigolds.

From "Wish" by Barbara O'Connor