snapdragon

noun

snap·​drag·​on ˈsnap-ˌdra-gən How to pronounce snapdragon (audio)
: any of a genus (Antirrhinum of the family Plantaginaceae, the plantain family) of herbs having showy bilabiate flowers
especially : a widely cultivated one (A. majus) of Mediterranean origin having usually pink, red, yellow, or white flowers

Illustration of snapdragon

Illustration of snapdragon

Examples of snapdragon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The ceremony site was decorated with arrangements of purple snapdragons, tangerine roses, blue thistle, deep red hypericum and marigolds. Cary Jenkins, arkansasonline.com, 4 Nov. 2024 The couple were installed in a spacious villa, surrounded by gardens planted with bougainvillea and snapdragons. Heidi Blake, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024 The two-lipped flowers resemble snapdragons and are self-cleaning, providing months of blooms with little work. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 July 2024 The bouquet has 15 stems with a variety of blooms and greens, including roses, snapdragons, poppies, and daisies. Phoebe Sklansky, Parents, 1 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for snapdragon 

Word History

Etymology

from the fancied resemblance of the flowers to the face of a dragon

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of snapdragon was in 1573

Dictionary Entries Near snapdragon

Cite this Entry

“Snapdragon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snapdragon. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

snapdragon

noun
snap·​drag·​on ˈsnap-ˌdrag-ən How to pronounce snapdragon (audio)
: a widely grown herb having showy usually pink, red, white, or yellow two-lipped flowers

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