tulip

American  

[too-lip, tyoo-] / ˈtu lɪp, ˈtyu- /

noun

1. any of various plants belonging to the genus Tulipa, of the lily family, cultivated in many varieties, and having lance-shaped leaves and large, showy, usually erect, cup-shaped or bell-shaped flowers in a variety of colors.

2. a flower or bulb of such a plant.

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tulip British  

/ ˈtjuːlɪp /

noun

1. any spring-blooming liliaceous plant of the temperate Eurasian genus Tulipa , having tapering bulbs, long broad pointed leaves, and single showy bell-shaped flowers

2. the flower or bulb of any of these plants

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Other Word Forms

• tulip-like adjective
• tuliplike adjective

Etymology

Origin of tulip

1570–80; earlier tulipa < New Latin, apparently back formation from Italian tulipano (taken as adj.) < Turkish tülbent turban (from a fancied likeness); turban

Example Sentences

The most irrational of all bubbles was the Dutch tulip craze in the 17th century.

From Barron's

The most irrational of all bubbles was the Dutch tulip craze in the 17th century.

From Barron's

The road is paired with a million yellow tulips planted by farmer Mark Eves.

From Los Angeles Times

The usually vain and anxious mother-to-be spent her afternoons waddling contentedly through the new tulip garden.

From Literature

And she had business of her own with Lady Constance, so the sooner this confusion about the tulips was settled, the better.

From Literature