How Do You Spell AMARYLLIS?

Pronunciation: [ˌaməɹˈɪlɪs] (IPA)

Amaryllis ( /æməˈrɪlɪs/) is a beautiful flower that is native to South Africa. This word has a unique spelling, with silent letters in the middle and at the end. The first two syllables are pronounced as "am-ah," while the third syllable is pronounced "ril." The "y" is silent, and the "is" at the end of the word is pronounced as "iss." Despite the complexity of the spelling, the word is commonly used and is a favorite of gardeners and flower enthusiasts all over the world.

AMARYLLIS Meaning and Definition

1. Amaryllis is a noun that refers to a flowering plant from the family Amaryllidaceae, genus Hippeastrum. It is native to South America and is widely cultivated for its large, showy flowers. The term "amaryllis" specifically applies to the popular cultivars of Hippeastrum, commonly seen during the winter season as indoor plants or in decorative gardens.

   The amaryllis plant typically grows from a bulb, with long, strap-like leaves that are bright green in color. It produces a tall, leafless stalk that bears one or more large flowers at the top. Amaryllis flowers are notable for their striking beauty, boasting vibrant, rich colors such as red, pink, orange, white, or striped varieties. Each flower usually consists of six large petals that form a trumpet-shaped blossom, providing an elegant and eye-catching display.

   Amaryllis is often associated with the holiday season, as it is commonly gifted and used for festive decoration due to its vibrant and long-lasting blooms. In addition to its ornamental charm, amaryllis has also gained popularity as a houseplant because of its relatively easy care requirements and ability to thrive indoors. Given adequate sunlight, water, and proper fertilization, amaryllis can provide a burst of color and natural beauty during the winter months when many other flowers are dormant.

2. A family of plants esteemed for their beauty; the lily-asphodel.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for AMARYLLIS *

• amarilis 37.5%
• amaryllus 25%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for AMARYLLIS

• amarylis
• amarillis
• amarelles
• zmaryllis
• smaryllis
• wmaryllis
• qmaryllis
• anaryllis
• akaryllis
• ajaryllis
• amzryllis
• amsryllis
• amwryllis
• amqryllis
• amaeyllis
• aamaryllis
• amaryllic
• parullis
• amorollis
• amarillys
• amarullus
• Amarellis
• Amarelis
• Amerillis

Etymology of AMARYLLIS

The word "amaryllis" has its roots in Greek mythology. In ancient Greek tales, Amaryllis was a beautiful shepherdess who was deeply in love with the shepherd Alteo. However, Alteo was rather uninterested in romantic relationships. Determined to win him over, Amaryllis sought the guidance of a Greek oracle who advised her to pierce her heart with a golden arrow every day and lay it at Alteo's doorstep. In doing so, she hoped to demonstrate her undying love for him. Legend has it that after 30 days of this ritual, a radiant flower sprouted from the blood-soaked ground. This flower came to be known as "amaryllis".

The name "amaryllis" is derived from the Greek words "amarysso", meaning "to sparkle", and "rhis", meaning "tip of the rod".

Similar spelling words for AMARYLLIS

• amoralist,
• amaral,
• amoralism,
• Amarillas,
• amoral,
• amorality.

Plural form of AMARYLLIS is AMARYLLISES