primrose

¹ American  

[prim-rohz] / ˈprɪmˌroʊz /

noun

1. any plant of the genus Primula, as P. vulgaris English primrose, of Europe, having yellow flowers, or P. sinensis Chinese primrose, of China, having flowers in a variety of colors.

2. evening primrose.

3. pale yellow.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the primrose.

2. Also primrosed abounding in primroses.

   a primrose garden.

3. of a pale yellow.

Primrose ² American  

[prim-rohz] / ˈprɪmˌroʊz /

noun

1. Archibald Philip, 5th Earl of Rosebery. Rosebery, Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of.

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primrose British  

/ ˈprɪmˌrəʊz /

noun

1. any of various temperate primulaceous plants of the genus Primula, esp P. vulgaris of Europe, which has pale yellow flowers

2. short for evening primrose

3. Also called: primrose yellow.  a light to moderate yellow, sometimes with a greenish tinge

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or abounding in primroses

2. of the colour primrose

3. pleasant or gay

Etymology

Origin of primrose

1375–1425; late Middle English primerose < Medieval Latin prīma rosa first rose

Example Sentences

In wet winters, the valleys beyond town awaken in color as sand verbena, desert sunflower, evening primrose and pincushion gather in brief, luminous blooms across the desert floor.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

"You can't argue with a primrose, they're absolutely glorious... red campions will flower all year round, and they are just so beneficial to all sorts of insects and wildlife," she said.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

At field sites in eastern Washington, the researchers collected scent samples from pale evening primrose flowers.

From Science Daily • Feb. 8, 2024

Everything from the primrose to the milkweed to the Echinacea purpurea, is allowed to flourish.

From National Geographic • Jul. 20, 2023

Even the toilet peeked out from under a primrose covering.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Related Words

• lush
• sensual
• voluptuous