What does "narcissus" mean?
Any of several bulbous flowering plants, of the genus Narcissus, having white or yellow cup- or trumpet-shaped flowers, notably the daffodil
Narcissus
/nɑɹˈsɪsəs/ name, noun
name, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Any of several bulbous flowering plants, of the genus Narcissus, having white or yellow cup- or trumpet-shaped flowers, notably the daffodil
- Grammar: narcissus is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: adonis, aphrodite, apollo, apollo belvedere.
- Usage evidence: Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection in the water.
How to use "narcissus"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "narcissus" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "narcissus" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "narcissus" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
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- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "narcissus" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any of several bulbous flowering plants, of the genus Narcissus, having white or yellow cup- or trumpet-shaped flowers, notably the daffodil
"The Daughters of the Flood have ſearch'd the Mead / For Violets pale, and cropt the Poppy's Head: / The Short Narciſſus and fair Daffodil, / Pancies to pleaſe the Sight, and Caſſia ſvveet to ſmell: […]"
- 2 bulbous plant having erect linear leaves and showy yellow or white flowers either solitary or in clusters wordnet
- 3 A beautiful young man, like the mythological Greek Narcissus
Proper Noun
- 1 A youth who spurned the love of Echo and fell in love with his own reflection in a pool: in some versions of the myth, he drowned trying to reach it, while in others he sat fixated until a god took pity and transformed him into a flower. Greek
"At the beginning of his narrative, Ishmael mentions Narcissus, the legendary character who plunged into the water and was drowned in the attempt to grasp his own essence (p. 14). Narcissus was unwilling to understand the relationship between himself and “the ungraspable phantom of life” in gradualistic terms and sought to bring that relationship to immediate closure, thus annihilating himself."
Example
"Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection in the water."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "narcissus"?
Common synonyms include: adonis, aphrodite, apollo, apollo belvedere, astarte, balder.
How do you use "narcissus" in a sentence?
Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection in the water.
How do you pronounce "narcissus"?
Pronounced /nɑɹˈsɪsəs/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Borrowed from Latin narcissus, from Ancient Greek νάρκισσος (nárkissos), ultimately either from Pre-Greek or related to νάρκη (nárkē).
Etymology 2
From Latin Narcissus, from Ancient Greek Νάρκισσος (Nárkissos, “Narcissus”).