any bulbous plant belonging to the genus Narcissus, of the amaryllis family, having showy yellow or white flowers with a cup-shaped corona.
the flower of any of these plants.
(initial capital letter) a youth who fell in love with his own image reflected in a pool and wasted away from unsatisfied desire, whereupon he was transformed into the flower.
What does narcissus mean? A narcissus is a showy, cup- or trumpet-shaped flower that comes in white, yellow, and orange varieties. The name narcissus is also used for any plant in the genus Narcissus. The plural forms of narcissus are narcissuses and narcissi. Common varieties include the daffodil (scientific name Narcissus pseudonarcissus), the jonquil (N. jonquilla), and the paper-white narcissus (N. tazetta). The narcissus is popular for bouquets and gardens. Narcissus is one of the December birth flowers (a flower that’s associated with a particular month in the same way as a birthstone). Example: The narcissus is one of my favorite flowers—I just love its trumpet shape.
“Narcissists” are people completely absorbed in themselves. (See narcissism.)
1540–50; < Latin < Greek nárkissos plant name, traditionally connected, by virtue of plant's narcotic effects, with nárkē numbness, torpor. See narcotic
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Daffodils - or narcissus - have been bred for centuries and there are believed to be around 30,000 varieties in the UK, but only 6% contain pink.
From BBC ● Mar. 5, 2026
That is not true, because, following the myth of narcissus to its end, he is nearing the level of complete self-destruction.
From Salon ● Nov. 7, 2023
The most prominent feature on it—which is also the feature prompting said drama—is a green, human-like face, transforming at its edges into a jumble of foliage, crowned in primrose and narcissus.
From Slate ● Apr. 8, 2023
Our yard is shady, which explains why our daffodils have been uncharacteristically shy, more “bashfullus” than narcissus.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 13, 2022
The child angel had been cleared of moss and planted all around with snowdrops and white narcissus that poured out an overpowering scent.
From "How I Live Now" by Meg Rosoff
Experts across the country would then be able to "examine and give us a definitive answer" if those discovered by the public are Narcissus 'Mrs R.O Backhouse'.
From BBC ● Mar. 5, 2026
These new forms of entertainment are becoming the lake to our Narcissus: You can gaze into your phone and see yourself staring back, having all kinds of thrills, spills and chills.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2025
McLuhan likened our contemporary ills to the often misunderstood myth of Narcissus.
From Slate ● Jul. 28, 2025
Admittedly, it’s easier to bloom an Amaryllis, hyacinth or paperwhite Narcissus bulb that has been prepared in cold storage by the supplier.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 20, 2023
“If we take it away, it might give Narcissus a reason to snap out of it. Echo could have a chance to save him.”
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
Behind the closed gates are newly-planted gardens, which have been filled with Diana's favourite flowers: white roses, scented narcissi and a carpet of forget-me-nots.
From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2017
Banks of creamy-gold narcissi are out and you can hear birdsong.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 26, 2016
In the gardens of Chapel Hill, N.C., he was so moved by the budding of narcissi and daffodils that he cried.
From Time Magazine Archive
They also have a Newport mansion and an estate at Old Westbury, where Mrs. Loew raises prize narcissi.
From Time Magazine Archive
In the vicinity of Richmond narcissi are extensively grown, as they also are more to the west in the Long Ditton district, and likewise around Twickenham, Isleworth, Hounslow, Feltham and Hampton.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3 "Frost" to "Fyzabad" by Various
Among the scores of bouquets and sympathetic messages from Britain's great was a modest bunch of irises and narcissuses with a note attached: With best wishes for a speedy recovery.
From Time Magazine Archive
On the walls, upholstered in purple, small mirrors were fixed here and there, and narcissism was further indicated by narcissuses floating in the tub.
From Time Magazine Archive
The fields were full of tulips and narcissuses, and the rocks by the roadside were covered with boxwood and lavender.
From James Nasmyth: Engineer; an autobiography by Smiles, Samuel
How you told of tulips and narcissuses, and a thousand lovely things for beds and borders and rock work—at so much a dozen, so very much a dozen, and a dozen so very few!
From How To Write Special Feature Articles A Handbook for Reporters, Correspondents and Free-Lance Writers Who Desire to Contribute to Popular Magazines and Magazine Sections of Newspapers by Bleyer, Willard Grosvenor
The same size pot will do for three or four narcissuses or eight to twelve crocuses.
From Manual of Gardening (Second Edition) by Bailey, L. H. (Liberty Hyde)
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.
