jonquil

noun

jon·​quil ˈjän-kwəl How to pronounce jonquil (audio)
ˈjäŋ-
: a Mediterranean daffodil (Narcissus jonquilla) that is widely cultivated for its yellow or white fragrant short-tubed clustered flowers

Examples of jonquil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Complete with daffodils in front, in earliest spring: (Daffodils or jonquils? Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 5 Apr. 2023 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. Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2021 Druse recommends 13 scented jonquil varieties, including Baby Moon, Pipit, Suzy and Sailboat. Washington Post, 4 Dec. 2019 The yellow jonquil has a center trumpet surrounded by slender leaves that brings to mind a cup and saucer. BostonGlobe.com, 17 Sep. 2019 Resplendent in a jonquil yellow coat and hat, she was accompanied by her son, Andrew, daughter Anne, and Lord Vestey, Master of the Horse to the Royal Household. Steven Stolman, Town & Country, 18 June 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jonquil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French jonquille, from Spanish junquillo, diminutive of junco reed, from Latin juncus

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jonquil was in 1664

Dictionary Entries Near jonquil

Cite this Entry

“Jonquil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jonquil. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

jonquil

noun
jon·​quil ˈjän-kwəl How to pronounce jonquil (audio)
ˈjäŋ-
: a Mediterranean daffodil that bears clusters of fragrant yellow or white flowers having a short central tube

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