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Definition of agapanthus
agapanthus
/ˌæɡ.əˈpæn.θəs/
ag · a · pan · thus
Plural:agapanthuses
agapanthus Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
10
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A plant of a genus of herbaceous perennials native to Southern Africa, characterized by striking globe-shaped clusters of blue, purple, or white funnel-shaped flowers growing on tall stalks.
Example
"The landscape designer planted a vibrant border of agapanthus along the garden path to add height and color to the floral display."
Word Nuance & Usage
Though frequently referred to by common names like 'Lily of the Nile' or 'African lily', the agapanthus is not a true lily, belonging instead to the amaryllis family.
• Rhymes for agapanthus
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Modern Latin Agapanthus (1788), coined by French botanist Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle from the Greek words 'agapē' (love) and 'anthos' (flower).
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Agapanthus. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/agapanthus