What does "saffron" mean?
A plant of species Crocus sativus, a crocus.
Saffron
/ˈsæfɹən/ adj, name, noun, verb
adj, name, noun, verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A plant of species Crocus sativus, a crocus.
- Grammar: saffron is listed as adj, name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: amber, beige, buff, canary.
- Useful contrasts: bleach, blue, colorless.
- Usage evidence: The Indian flag is called the tricolour because it has stripes of three colours – saffron, white and green.
How to use "saffron"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "saffron" 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 "saffron" 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 "saffron" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "saffron" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "saffron" is acting as adj, name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "amber" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "saffron", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
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 A plant of species Crocus sativus, a crocus. countable, uncountable
"Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, spikenard and saffron […]"
- 2 a shade of yellow tinged with orange wordnet
- 3 A spice (seasoning) and colouring agent made from the stigma and part of the style of the plant, sometimes or formerly also used as a dye and insect repellent. countable, uncountable
"I must have saffron to colour the warden pies […]"
- 4 dried pungent stigmas of the Old World saffron crocus wordnet
- 5 An orange-yellow colour, the colour of a lion's pelt. countable, uncountable
"[…] The stately Ram Shone thro’ the Mead, in native Purple clad, Or milder Saffron […]"
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Old World crocus having purple or white flowers with aromatic pungent orange stigmas used in flavoring food wordnet
Verb
- 1 To add saffron to (a food), for taste, colour etc.
"saffroned water, saffroned rice"
- 2 To give a saffron colour to (something).
"My dreadful thoughts been drawen vpon my face, In blotted lines with ages iron pen, The lothlie morpheu saffroned the place, Where beuties damaske daz’d the eies of men."
- 3 To give a saffron colour to (something).; To dye (a fabric, garment, etc.) with a saffron-based dye.
"The other part Northern, & ful of mountaines, a very rude and homely kinde of people doth inhabite, which are called the redshankes or wilde Scottes. They be clothed with a mantel and shyrte saffroned, after the Irishe manner, going bare legged to the knée."
- 4 To give a saffron colour to (something).; To colour (a metal or wooden surface) with a gilding product containing saffron.
"His horse was harnished with leaden chaines, hauing the out-side guilt, or at least saffrond in stead of guilt, to decypher a holie or golden pretence of a couetous purpose […]"
- 5 To embellish. figuratively
"Saffroning the rest of the account are several other regionalisms: agin for against, hit for the expletive it, knowed as a preterite, and no use to say not bin' (a fascinating doubling of the negative)."
Adjective
- 1 Having an orange-yellow colour.
"For ioyfull thoughts, vse funerall deedes"
- 2 Associated with Hinduism, Hindus or Hindu nationalism.
"Saffron voters will certainly respond to the Sena chief’s call to support this alliance."
Proper Noun
- 1 A female given name from English; a rare flower name from the saffron.
"The bad thing was she took my son Skiff with her. It's a dumb name I know, but at the time he was born all the kids were being called things like Sky and Saffron and Powie, and I was really sold on sailing."
Antonyms
Example
"The Indian flag is called the tricolour because it has stripes of three colours – saffron, white and green."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "saffron"?
Common synonyms include: amber, beige, buff, canary, color, colorant.
How do you use "saffron" in a sentence?
The Indian flag is called the tricolour because it has stripes of three colours – saffron, white and green.
How do you pronounce "saffron"?
Pronounced /ˈsæfɹən/.
Etymology
Etymology tree Aramaic צפרder. Arabic زَعْفَرَان (zaʕfarān)bor. Medieval Latin safranumbor. Old French safranbor. Middle English saffron English saffron Inherited from Middle English saffron, borrowed from Old French safran, borrowed from Medieval Latin safranum, borrowed from Arabic زَعْفَرَان (zaʕfarān), from Aramaic צפר.