shamrock

[ sham-rok ]

noun

any of several trifoliate plants, as the wood sorrel, Oxalis acetosella, or a small, pink-flowered clover, Trifolium repens minus, but especially Trifolium procumbens, a small, yellow-flowered clover: the national emblem of Ireland.

Compare Meanings

Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.

Origin of shamrock

1565–75; <Irish seamróg, equivalent to seamair clover + -óg diminutive suffix

Words Nearby shamrock

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use shamrock in a sentence

Kate wore a gold shamrock Cartier brooch pinned to her chest.
More Kids Planned Kate? No, One is Enough, At The Moment... | Tom Sykes | March 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Eventually Congress learned the NSA was also snooping on U.S. citizens through programs code named Minaret and shamrock.
Spy Chief James Clapper: We Can’t Stop Another Snowden | Eli Lake | February 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
One has the shamrock wreath, the other the thistles, each division having its own committee and officials.
Yachting Vol. 2 | Various.
The 'London shamrock,' light post-coach, five o'clock every evening; arrives in London at half-past seven next morning.
The King's Post | R. C. Tombs
It was of the safety-pin order, but made of gold and ornamented with small emeralds set as a four-leafed shamrock.
The Pillar of Light | Louis Tracy

shamrock Jolnes concluded his convincing speech with the smile of a successful artist.
Sixes and Sevens | O. Henry
The lace around her white neck was fastened with a little gold brooch bearing a four-leafed shamrock in emeralds.
The Pillar of Light | Louis Tracy

British Dictionary definitions for shamrock

shamrock

/ (ˈʃæmˌrɒk) /

noun

a plant having leaves divided into three leaflets, variously identified as the wood sorrel, red clover, white clover, and black medick: the national emblem of Ireland

Origin of shamrock

C16: from Irish Gaelic seamrōg, diminutive of seamar clover

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Browse