noun
Uncommon
saffron
SAF-ruhn
Saffron (noun) means a prized spice made from the dried stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower, used for flavor and its deep golden color. Example: “The paella got its golden color from a pinch of saffron.”
noun
1
A prized spice made from the dried stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower, used for flavor and its deep golden color.
"The paella got its golden color from a pinch of saffron."
2
A warm orange-yellow color, named after the spice.
"The monk's robe was dyed a rich saffron."
adj
1
Having an orange-yellow color.
"Saffron curtains filled the room with a warm glow."
How to use saffron
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA costly spice made from crocus flowers, or the golden-orange color it produces.
Common mistake
Saffron is famously expensive because each flower yields only a few threads, all hand-harvested.
Common pairings
a pinch of saffron
saffron rice
saffron-colored
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Word forms
- Plural
- saffrons
- Third person singular
- saffrons
- Past tense
- saffroned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The paella got its golden color from a pinch of _____.
Etymology
Traced back through Old French safran and Medieval Latin safranum to Arabic za'faran, ultimately from Aramaic.
Synonyms
View more →
orange yellow
saffron crocus
Frequently asked questions
What does “saffron” mean?
The word “saffron” means a prized spice made from the dried stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower, used for flavor and its deep golden color. In plain terms, a costly spice made from crocus flowers, or the golden-orange color it produces.
How do you pronounce “saffron”?
“Saffron” is pronounced SAF-ruhn (/ˈsæfɹən/ in IPA).
How do you use “saffron” in a sentence?
Here is “saffron” used in a sentence: “The paella got its golden color from a pinch of saffron.”
What part of speech is “saffron”?
Depending on how it is used, “saffron” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “saffron” come from?
The word “saffron” comes from Medieval Latin. Traced back through Old French safran and Medieval Latin safranum to Arabic za'faran, ultimately from Aramaic.
Is “saffron” a common word?
“Saffron” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “saffron” have?
“Saffron” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a prized spice made from the dried stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower, used for flavor and its deep golden color.
