English Reference
noun

daisy

n.
US /ˈdeɪzi/ UK /dˈeɪzi/ daisy UK spelling daisies, daisy's

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    a small flower with a yellow centre and many thin white petals.

    a common wild flowering plant, specifically Bellis perennis, characterized by a yellow disc and white ray florets.

    Simple

    The children sat in the grass making a chain out of daisies.

    In context

    The meadow was carpeted with daisies that opened their petals fully as the morning sun reached the valley floor.

  2. 02 A2 Elementary

    a popular first name for a girl.

    a female given name derived from the flower name.

    Simple

    Daisy is starting her first day of primary school tomorrow.

    In context

    The protagonist, Daisy Miller, remains one of the most discussed figures in nineteenth-century American literature.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Informal

    something that is very good or impressive.

    a person or thing of first-rate quality; something remarkable or excellent.

    Simple

    That new car you bought is a real daisy.

    In context

    The final goal of the match was a real daisy, struck from thirty yards out directly into the top corner of the net.

    doozybeautygem

Etymology 1

From the flower daisy, one of the flower names dating from the 19th century. Also a nickname for Margaret, since Marguerite and Margarita are identical with the French and Spanish word for "daisy".

Etymology 2

Named after Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low.

Etymology 3

Three possible origins: * Americanized form of a French habitational surname, from either of two places called Aisy. * Variant of the Irish surname Dacey. * From the flower name, probably used as a nickname.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Frequent
Updated