tulip

American  

[too-lip, tyoo-] / ˈtu lɪp, ˈtyu- /

noun

1. any of various plants belonging to the genus Tulipa, of the lily family, cultivated in many varieties, and having lance-shaped leaves and large, showy, usually erect, cup-shaped or bell-shaped flowers in a variety of colors.

2. a flower or bulb of such a plant.

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tulip British  

/ ˈtjuːlɪp /

noun

1. any spring-blooming liliaceous plant of the temperate Eurasian genus Tulipa , having tapering bulbs, long broad pointed leaves, and single showy bell-shaped flowers

2. the flower or bulb of any of these plants

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Other Word Forms

• tulip-like adjective
• tuliplike adjective

Etymology

Origin of tulip

1570–80; earlier tulipa < New Latin, apparently back formation from Italian tulipano (taken as adj.) < Turkish tülbent turban (from a fancied likeness); turban

Example Sentences

The snow melts, the trees bud, and tulips start to push their way free of the hard-packed soil.

From Literature

Served well, Guinness is an uncommonly handsome beer, with an instantly recognizable foamy beige head that sits atop the company’s harp-logoed “tulip” glass.

From The Wall Street Journal

There was a place on a nearby tulip farm, but the farmer had decided he must be paid for the risk he was taking.

From Literature

A woman walked up with a handful of yellow tulips.

From Los Angeles Times

Their neighbors followed suit, and soon there were scores of street enclosures bright with tulips, daisies and geraniums.

From The Wall Street Journal