saffron

[ saf-ruhn ]

/ ˈsæf rən /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for saffron on Thesaurus.com

noun

Also called vegetable gold . a crocus, Crocus sativus, having showy purple flowers.

an orange-colored condiment consisting of its dried stigmas, used to color and flavor foods.

Also saffron yellow . a yellowish-orange color.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"

"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of saffron

1150–1200; Middle English saffran, saffronOld French safran<Medieval Latin saffrānum<Arabic zaʿfarān

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use saffron in a sentence

In straight relationships with an age gap, words like ‘gold-digger’ and ‘trophy wife’ get thrown around.
Freaking Out About Age Gaps in Gay Relationships Is Homophobic|Samantha Allen|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And more than anything, I wanted a souvenir for my father, so I rolled him back, and he had gold teeth.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat the vegetable oil in a large, high-sided cast iron skillet.
Make Carla Hall’s Crispy Shallot Green Bean Casserole|Carla Hall|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He headed west in 1860 for health reasons and to join the gold rush in Colorado.
My Love Letter to the Stetson|Mark McKinnon|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

As far as finally being acknowledged herself with that elusive Academy gold, well, Moore says she would not take it for granted.
Julianne Moore Is Oscar Gold in ‘Still Alice’|Marlow Stern|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When she arrived she made a regular entry into the city in a coach all gold and glass, drawn by eight superb plumed horses.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
On his head was the second-hand hat of some parvenu's coachman, gold lace, cockade and all.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
A leather swordbelt, gold-embroidered at the edges, carried a long steel-halted rapier in a leather scabbard chaped with steel.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
M was a Miser, and hoarded up gold; N was a Nobleman, gallant and bold.
Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17)|Various
He accuses the latter of various illegal and crafty acts, among them sending contraband gold and jewels to Mexico.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various

British Dictionary definitions for saffron

saffron

/ (ˈsæfrən) /

noun

an Old World crocus, Crocus sativus, having purple or white flowers with orange stigmas

the dried stigmas of this plant, used to flavour or colour food

meadow saffron another name for autumn crocus

false saffron another name for safflower

an orange to orange-yellow colour
(as adjective)a saffron dress

Word Origin for saffron

C13: from Old French safran, from Medieval Latin safranum, from Arabic za'farān

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

saffron

Origin of saffron

Words related to saffron

How to use saffron in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for saffron

Word Origin for saffron