Meaning & use
jonquils
Last updated
“jonquils” is a form of “jonquil”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Small yellow or white flowers with a strong sweet smell that grow from bulbs in spring.
Grammar: The plural is used for several flowers or a bunch; one single flower is a jonquil.
Patterns
- a bunch of jonquils
- jonquils in bloom
She picked a few jonquils from the garden and put them in a glass.
The field was full of jonquils by early March.
He gave her a small bunch of jonquils for her birthday.
nouncountable
The plant that produces these flowers, often grown in gardens.
Grammar: Refers to the plant itself, not the cut flower: plant jonquils in fall.
Patterns
- plant jonquils
- grow jonquils
We planted jonquils along the front path last autumn.
Jonquils come back every year without much care.
Word forms
| singular | jonquil |
|---|
Common combinations
- a bunch of jonquils
- He brought a bunch of jonquils to the dinner party.
- jonquils in bloom
- The garden is lovely when the jonquils are in bloom.
- wild jonquils
- Wild jonquils cover the hillside in spring.
- the scent of jonquils
- The scent of jonquils filled the whole room.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- jonquil noun
- One single flower or plant of this kind.
Commonly confused: jonquils or daffodil?
jonquils vs daffodil
People often use the two names interchangeably, but jonquils are smaller and much more strongly scented.
Practice
Which sentence uses the word correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Jonquils' is plural, so it follows words like 'some' or 'a few'; 'a jonquils' mixes a singular article with a plural noun, and 'jonquil' alone needs an article or a plural form.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “jonquils”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.