daffodil

[ daf-uh-dil ]

noun

1. a bulbous plant, Narcissus pseudonarcissus, of the amaryllis family, having solitary, yellow, nodding flowers that bloom in the spring.
2. (formerly) any plant of the genus Narcissus.
3. clear yellow; canary.

adjective

1. of the color daffodil.

daffodil

/ ˈdæfədɪl /

noun

1. Also calledLent lily a widely cultivated Eurasian amaryllidaceous plant, Narcissus pseudonarcissus, having spring-blooming yellow flowers
2. any other plant of the genus Narcissus
3. 1. a brilliant yellow colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      daffodil paint

4. a daffodil, or a representation of one, as a national emblem of Wales

Word History and Origins

Origin of daffodil¹

1530–40; unexplained variant of Middle English affodile < Vulgar Latin affodillus, variant of asphodelus < Greek asphódelos asphodel

Word History and Origins

Origin of daffodil¹

C14: from Dutch de affodil the asphodel, from Medieval Latin affodillus, variant of Latin asphodelus asphodel

Example Sentences

She experimented with drought-tolerant trees and shrubs including lavenders and even bulbs like daffodils, but “I began to realize that so much of what I planted wasn’t doing well,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Just an hour and a half from Los Angeles there’s a mountain community where there are actual seasons: Warm summers, crisp autumns, snowy winters and resplendent springs complete with daffodils all around.

From Salon

Expect charming tableaux featuring robins with fish swimming in their bellies or daffodils blowing bubbles, ethereal, neo-futurist landscapes, macabre portraits and everything in between.

From Seattle Times

RoozenGaarde, part of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, has over 50 acres of tulips and daffodils in its fields.

From Seattle Times

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been mesmerized by butter-yellow daffodils and golden poppies bobbing in the wind from front yards in San Francisco.

From New York Times

Related Words

• adage
• aphorism
• axiom
• dictum
• epigram
• maxim
• witticism