Word
buttercup
Phoneticsbut·ter·cup, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbətɝˌkəp/
UK/bˈʌtəkˌʌp/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a common yellow flower with a soft, round center that you can pop. It is often found in grassy fields and is popular in children's gardens.
n. a common wildflower of the genus Ranunculus, typically characterized by bright yellow petals and a soft, spongy center. Often used in informal contexts to refer to the plant or its flowers.
Examples
“The children picked a buttercup from the field.”
“We spent the afternoon picking buttercups and daisies to make a bouquet for the kitchen table.”
“While the buttercup is often dismissed as a common weed, it serves as a vital nectar source for early-season pollinators in the spring.”
Examples
simple
“The children picked a buttercup from the field.”
contextual
“We spent the afternoon picking buttercups and daisies to make a bouquet for the kitchen table.”
complex
“While the buttercup is often dismissed as a common weed, it serves as a vital nectar source for early-season pollinators in the spring.”
Real-World Examples
“It sits beside a yard overgrown with stinging nettle and creeping buttercup, but its former status as an entrance of sorts is still clear.” Etymology
From butter + cup. Both sense 1 and 2 are from the flowers' association with butter, from their yellow colour. Compare butterflower for a similar derivation; outside of English, compare Dutch boterbloem, German Butterblume.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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