primrose

noun

prim·​rose ˈprim-ˌrōz How to pronounce primrose (audio)
: any of a genus (Primula of the family Primulaceae, the primrose family) of perennial herbs with large tufted basal leaves and showy variously colored flowers compare evening primrose

Examples of primrose 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.
And with flowers like impatiens and primrose, your shady spaces can bloom with color from spring through frost. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026 The cooler is available in nightfall blue, primrose, lilac, and graphite, and in 18-can and 24-can sizes. — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Sand verbena spreads in patches of deep violet, while clusters of brown-eyed primrose dot sandy washes. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026 Desert gold and brown-eyed primrose are appearing near Ashford Mill, along with sand verbena and fivespot. — Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for primrose

Word History

Etymology

Middle English primerose, from Anglo-French, from prime first + rose rose — more at prime, rose

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of primrose was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing primrose

Rhymes for primrose

See All Rhymes for primrose

Browse Nearby Words

primp
primrose
Primrose
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Primrose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primrose. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

primrose

noun
prim·​rose ˈprim-ˌrōz How to pronounce primrose (audio)
: any of a genus of herbs with large leaves arranged at the base of the stem and showy variously colored flowers in clusters on leafless stalks

Biographical Definition

Primrose

biographical name

Archibald Philip see rosebery

More from Merriam-Webster on primrose

Nglish: Translation of primrose for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about primrose

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All