narcissus

American  

[nahr-sis-uhs] / nɑrˈsɪs əs /

noun

plural

narcissus, narcissuses, narcissi

1. any bulbous plant belonging to the genus Narcissus, of the amaryllis family, having showy yellow or white flowers with a cup-shaped corona.

2. the flower of any of these plants.

3. (initial capital letter) a youth who fell in love with his own image reflected in a pool and wasted away from unsatisfied desire, whereupon he was transformed into the flower.

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narcissus ¹ British  

/ nɑːˈsɪsəs /

noun

1. any amaryllidaceous plant of the Eurasian genus Narcissus, esp N. poeticus, whose yellow, orange, or white flowers have a crown surrounded by spreading segments

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Narcissus ² British  

/ nɑːˈsɪsəs /

noun

1. Greek myth a beautiful youth who fell in love with his reflection in a pool and pined away, becoming the flower that bears his name

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Narcissus Cultural  

1. A beautiful youth in classical mythology who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool. Because he was unable to tear himself away from the image, he wasted away and died.

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Usage

What does narcissus mean? A narcissus is a showy, cup- or trumpet-shaped flower that comes in white, yellow, and orange varieties. The name narcissus is also used for any plant in the genus Narcissus. The plural forms of narcissus are narcissuses and narcissi. Common varieties include the daffodil (scientific name Narcissus pseudonarcissus), the jonquil (N. jonquilla), and the paper-white narcissus (N. tazetta). The narcissus is popular for bouquets and gardens. Narcissus is one of the December birth flowers (a flower that’s associated with a particular month in the same way as a birthstone). Example: The narcissus is one of my favorite flowers—I just love its trumpet shape.

Discover More

“Narcissists” are people completely absorbed in themselves. (See narcissism.)

Etymology

Origin of narcissus

1540–50; < Latin < Greek nárkissos plant name, traditionally connected, by virtue of plant's narcotic effects, with nárkē numbness, torpor. See narcotic

Example Sentences

Daffodils - or narcissus - have been bred for centuries and there are believed to be around 30,000 varieties in the UK, but only 6% contain pink.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

That is not true, because, following the myth of narcissus to its end, he is nearing the level of complete self-destruction.

From Salon • Nov. 7, 2023

Canary yellow narcissus Baby Moon daffodils had started pushing up through the soil.

From Washington Post • Aug. 31, 2022

The original gene, which makes an enzyme called phytoene synthase, came from the narcissus flower, and they replaced it with one from maize that is far more efficient.

From Slate • Oct. 20, 2013

That was true of the narcissus, which was not like ours of that name, but a lovely bloom of glowing purple and silver.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton