noun

snapdragon

SNAP-drag-ən

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Snapdragon (noun) means a garden plant of the genus Antirrhinum, prized for its brightly coloured red, yellow or white blooms. Example: “Rows of snapdragons lined the edge of the flower bed.”

noun

A garden plant of the genus Antirrhinum, prized for its brightly coloured red, yellow or white blooms.

"Rows of snapdragons lined the edge of the flower bed."

"She pinched the snapdragon's flower gently so it opened like a little mouth."

"We planted snapdragons along the border for a splash of early-summer colour."

An old parlour game in which players snatch raisins from a dish of burning brandy and eat them.

"The family played snapdragon by the fireside every Christmas Eve."

"Nobody wanted to go first at snapdragon because the flames looked frightening."

"Snapdragon was once a popular winter game in English households."

How to use snapdragon

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA snapdragon is mainly a colourful garden flower, though it once also named a fiery party game.

When to use it

In modern everyday use it almost always refers to the flower, since the game sense is now old-fashioned.

Memory tip

If the word appears in gardening writing it means the flower; in an old story about Christmas games it may mean the raisin-snatching game instead.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

a bed of snapdragons snapdragon flowers planted snapdragons

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “snapdragon” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Rows of _____ lined the edge of the flower bed.

Etymology

Snapdragon joins the words snap and dragon, because children imagined the flower as a small dragon whose mouth snaps open when its sides are pinched. Similar animal-inspired names for the same flower exist in other languages, comparing it to a lion's mouth. An earlier English name for the plant literally meant dog's head.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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dragon flower flapdragon

Rhymes for snapdragon

wagon dragon Aragon nonagon octagon paragon heptagon icosagon pentagon tarragon dodecagon bandwagon

See all rhymes for snapdragon →

Frequently asked questions

What is a snapdragon?

It is usually a garden plant, genus Antirrhinum, known for its brightly coloured flowers.

Why is it called a snapdragon?

The name comes from the flower's resemblance to a dragon's mouth snapping open when squeezed.

What was the snapdragon game?

It was an old parlour game, played especially at Christmas, in which players plucked raisins out of a bowl of flaming brandy and ate them.

What is the meaning of snapdragon?

"snapdragon" (noun) means a garden plant of the genus Antirrhinum, prized for its brightly coloured red, yellow or white blooms.