crocus

noun

cro·​cus ˈkrō-kəs 

plural crocuses

1

a

plural also crocus or croci ˈkrō-ˌkē 

-ˌkī,

-ˌsī

: any of a genus (Crocus) of herbs of the iris family developing from corms and having solitary long-tubed flowers and slender linear leaves

b

: saffron sense 1a

2

: a dark red ferric oxide used for polishing metals

Did you know?

A low-growing plant with a corm, the crocus belongs to the iris family. There are about 75 species of crocus. They are native to the Alps, southern Europe, and the Mediterranean and are widely grown for their cuplike blooms in early spring or fall. The spring-flowering sorts have a floral tube so long that the ovary is below ground, sheltered from climatic changes. Saffron comes from a species of crocus that is native to western Asia. The alpine crocus is the chief ancestor of the common garden crocus.

Examples of crocus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The best bulbs for early spring include crocus (Crocus), glory of the snow (Chionodoxa), squill (Scilla sibirica), and grape hyacinth (Muscari). —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2024

Keep in mind that early blooming bulbs like snowdrops, crocuses, and early flowering daffodils should be planted early in fall, starting by the second half of September. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 3 Oct. 2024

For sunny spots, consider crocus, Muscari (grape hyacinths), hyacinths, tulips, and ornamental onions. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 3 Oct. 2024

The cinematographer, Dion Beebe, makes New York City a swollen crocus. —Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, the saffron plant, from Latin, from Greek krokos, of Semitic origin; akin to Akkadian kurkānū saffron

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing crocus

• autumn crocus

Kids Definition

crocus

noun

cro·​cus ˈkrō-kəs 

plural crocuses

1

plural also crocus or croci -ˌkē 

-ˌkī,

-ˌsī

: any of a genus of small herbs that are related to the irises and have showy solitary long-tubed flowers and slender grasslike leaves

2

: saffron sense 1

Medical Definition

crocus

noun

cro·​cus ˈkrō-kəs 

plural crocuses

1

plural also crocus or croci -ˌkē, -ˌkī, -ˌsī  : any of a large genus (Crocus) of perennial herbs of the iris family (Iridaceae)

2

: saffron sense 1