safflower

American  

[saf-lou-er] / ˈsæfˌlaʊ ər /

noun

1. a thistlelike composite plant, Carthamus tinctorius, native to the Old World, having finely toothed leaves and large, orange-red flower heads.

2. its dried florets, used medicinally or as a red dyestuff.

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safflower British  

/ ˈsæflaʊə /

noun

1. a thistle-like Eurasian annual plant, Carthamus tinctorius, having large heads of orange-yellow flowers and yielding a dye and an oil used in paints, medicines, etc: family Asteraceae (composites)

2. a red dye used for cotton and for colouring foods and cosmetics, or a drug obtained from the florets of this plant

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Etymology

Origin of safflower

1575–85; < Dutch saffloer < Middle French safleur, alteration (assimilated to safran saffron and fleur flower ) of Italian asfori < Arabic aṣfar yellow

Compare meaning

How does safflower compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• safflower vs. saffron

Example Sentences

Researchers are now examining how oxylipins lead to weight gain and whether similar reactions occur with other oils high in linoleic acid, including corn, sunflower, and safflower oils.

From Science Daily • Nov. 30, 2025

In addition to tomatoes and cotton, the area’s farms produce crops such as safflower, alfalfa and pistachios, some of which ended up underwater during the flooding two years ago.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 3, 2025

For some oil and vinegar dressings, you might want a more neutrally flavored oil, like safflower or grapeseed.

From Washington Times • Aug. 21, 2023

It has approved four GMO crops for cultivation: cotton, canola, safflower and Indian mustard.

From Salon • May 9, 2023

To make pinks of all shades, the silk is dipped in diluted tartaric acid for the mordant, and then in a decoction of safflower for the hue.

From The International Monthly, Volume 5, No. 4, April, 1852 by Various