primrose

noun

prim·​rose ˈprim-ˌrōz How to pronounce primrose (audio)
: any of a genus (Primula of the family Primulaceae, the primrose family) of perennial herbs with large tufted basal leaves and showy variously colored flowers compare evening primrose

Examples of primrose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The violet and primrose flowers also represent those born in February. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2024 Plant Fill sunny windowsills with potted English primrose, available in shades of blue, brown, orange, peach, red, white, and yellow. Deanna Kizis, Sunset Magazine, 17 Jan. 2023 When the royals arrive at the Great West Door of the Abbey, they will be greeted by a pair of tall yellow trees with a meadow of wild grasses, primroses and violets underneath. Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, 5 May 2023 The flower fields are at the mouth of the canyon, and regular sightings include desert sunflowers (yellow petals and a yellow center on long, dark green stalks), verbena, and primrose. Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2023 The developer was conscious about the land prior to any construction and helped preserve much of the site’s natural vegetation, like the buttonwood mangroves and primroses. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 2 Mar. 2023 The metal base would include a glass mosaic depicting yellow primroses on stems with leaves of many shades of green. Elaine Louie, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2023 The Anza Borrego Desert State Park is already experiencing blooms, including sand verbena, desert sunflower and desert primrose in June Wash, Henderson Canyon Road and Coyote Canyon. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2023 Hardy cyclamen and some primrose are options. oregonlive, 17 July 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'primrose.' 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

Middle English primerose, from Anglo-French, from prime first + rose rose — more at prime, rose

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of primrose was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near primrose

primp

primrose

Primrose

Cite this Entry

“Primrose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primrose. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

primrose

noun
prim·​rose ˈprim-ˌrōz How to pronounce primrose (audio)
: any of a genus of herbs with large leaves arranged at the base of the stem and showy variously colored flowers in clusters on leafless stalks

Biographical Definition

Primrose

biographical name

Archibald Philip see rosebery

More from Merriam-Webster on primrose

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