buttercup

[ buht-er-kuhp ]

noun

1. any of numerous plants of the genus Ranunculus, having glossy yellow flowers and deeply cut leaves.

buttercup

/ ˈbʌtəˌkʌp /

noun

1. any of various yellow-flowered ranunculaceous plants of the genus Ranunculus , such as R. acris (meadow buttercup), which is native to Europe but common throughout North America See also crowfoot goldilocks spearwort lesser celandine

Word History and Origins

Origin of buttercup¹

1505–15; butter + cup, from color and shape of flower

Example Sentences

Pucker up, buttercup: The team behind the London journal the Gourmand has partnered with uber-luxe Taschen on a 272-page book about the humble yet versatile lemon, offering history, design, anecdotes and even recipes, all with citrus vibes.

From Los Angeles Times

To picture Baldwin as caring enough about Capote’s sadness over losing access to his exclusionary patrons to drop what he’s doing and devote a “buck up, buttercup” day on the town with Capote beggars belief.

From Salon

Dot, who’s called a “tiger” by a formidable foe, is a tiny woman with a cheerful smile and a reassuring voice who favors buttercup yellow and thrift store fashion.

From Salon

And nine years ago, volunteers cleared acres of nonnative, invasive Amur honeysuckle from Cincinnati park's Buttercup Valley Nature Preserve, creating fertile ground for another invasive species, Higan cherry, to take hold, he said.

From Science Daily

Nathalie Selvon-Bruce, who owns Buttercup Bus Vintage Campers in Croydon, says the last few years have been a struggle and this latest announcement is overwhelming as a small business owner.

From BBC

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