jonquil

American  

[jong-kwil, jon-] / ˈdʒɒŋ kwɪl, ˈdʒɒn- /

noun

1. a narcissus, Narcissus jonquilla, having long, narrow, rushlike leaves and fragrant, yellow or white flowers.

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jonquil British  

/ ˈdʒɒŋkwɪl /

noun

1. a Eurasian amaryllidaceous plant, Narcissus jonquilla with long fragrant yellow or white short-tubed flowers

2. any of various other small daffodil-like plants

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Etymology

Origin of jonquil

1620–30; < French jonquille < Spanish junquillo, equivalent to junc ( o ) rush, reed (< Latin juncus ) + -illo diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

In the South, daffodils are sometimes known as jonquils, because the jonquil was the one type of daffodil that could reliably grow in a climate with milder winters and hotter summers.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 6, 2021

An old man in jonquil pants sits on a fence.

From New York Times • Jan. 6, 2015

If anything about Patagonia is still otherworldly, it’s the colors embedded in the landscape — teal, mauve, mahogany, jonquil, periwinkle, azure, lavender.

From New York Times • Sep. 16, 2011

Boyish and slender, child-limbed, quick and proud, A sprite of irresistible disdain, Fair as a jonquil in an April rain, You seemed too sweet an imp for that dull crowd....

From Chimneysmoke by Morley, Christopher

Then jonquil and narcissus opened in all their loveliness, and soft winds stirred the waters of the fountain.

From Athalie by Craig, Frank