noun

shamrock

SHAM-rok

Shamrock (noun) means a small clover leaf with three leaflets, widely used as a symbol of Ireland. Example: “He wore a shamrock pinned to his jacket on Saint Patrick's Day.”

noun

A small clover leaf with three leaflets, widely used as a symbol of Ireland.

"He wore a shamrock pinned to his jacket on Saint Patrick's Day."

How to use shamrock

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe three-leaf clover associated with Ireland and Saint Patrick's Day.

Easily confused with

clover →

Common pairings

a sprig of shamrock shamrock shake

Word forms

shamrocks plural

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He wore a _____ pinned to his jacket on Saint Patrick's Day.

Etymology

From Irish seamróg, a diminutive of the word for clover.

Origin: Irish

Synonyms

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hop clover white clover dutch clover cuckoo bread common wood sorrel lesser yellow trefoil

Frequently asked questions

What does “shamrock” mean?

The word “shamrock” means a small clover leaf with three leaflets, widely used as a symbol of Ireland. In plain terms, the three-leaf clover associated with Ireland and Saint Patrick's Day.

How do you pronounce “shamrock”?

“Shamrock” is pronounced SHAM-rok (/ˈʃæm.ɹɑk/ in IPA).

How do you use “shamrock” in a sentence?

Here is “shamrock” used in a sentence: “He wore a shamrock pinned to his jacket on Saint Patrick's Day.”

What part of speech is “shamrock”?

“Shamrock” is a noun.

Where does the word “shamrock” come from?

The word “shamrock” comes from Irish. From Irish seamróg, a diminutive of the word for clover.

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Vocabulary lists that include shamrock:

Words with Celtic origins