poppy
|pop-py|
🇺🇸
/ˈpɑpi/
🇬🇧
/ˈpɒpi/
bright flowering plant; source of opium
Etymology
'poppy' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'papaver', which named the poppy plant.
'poppy' changed from Old English 'popæg' (or Middle English 'popi'/'popy') and eventually became the modern English word 'poppy' through regular sound changes.
Initially, it referred to the plant 'poppy' in general; over time it kept that main meaning but also came to be used for the specific opium-producing species and as a symbol (remembrance poppy) and adjective forms.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a flowering plant of the genus Papaver, often with showy red, orange, or pink petals.
A single poppy grew at the side of the road.
Synonyms
Noun 2
specifically the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), the plant that produces opium and edible poppy seeds.
The opium was extracted from a kind of poppy grown in remote valleys.
Synonyms
Noun 3
a red paper or silk flower worn as a symbol of remembrance for those who died in war (chiefly in Commonwealth countries).
She pinned a poppy to her coat before the ceremony.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
resembling or characteristic of a poppy, especially in color (bright red or reddish).
She wore a poppy dress to the summer party.
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Antonyms
Adjective 2
informal: having the qualities of pop music; catchy and commercial in style.
The band released a more poppy single this year.
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Idioms
Last updated: 2026/01/17 17:49