lilac

noun

li·​lac ˈlī-ˌläk How to pronounce lilac (audio) -ˌlak How to pronounce lilac (audio)
-lək
1
a
: a widely cultivated European shrub (Syringa vulgaris) of the olive family that has cordate ovate leaves and large panicles of fragrant pinkish-purple or white flowers
b
: a tree or shrub congeneric with the lilac
2
: a variable color averaging a moderate purple

Illustration of lilac

Illustration of lilac
  • lilac 1a

Examples of lilac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Perfumed aromas of lilacs and mandarins and grapefruit. Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025 Set among bluebells, peonies, lilacs and more, the Mother’s Day Celebration at Yellow Magnolia Café will have a three-course prix fixe meal available both Saturday, May 10, and Sunday, May 11, priced at $72 per adult and $23 per child younger than 12. Kaitlyn Rosati, New York Daily News, 7 May 2025 Spring flowering trees and shrubs such as lilacs and crabapples form their flower buds in late summer or fall before the plants go dormant for the winter. Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025 Vladimir Kanevsky looks over his porcelain sculpture of lilacs at the Frick Collection in Manhattan. Guy Trebay, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lilac

Word History

Etymology

obsolete French (now lilas), from Arabic līlak, from Persian nīlak bluish, from nīl blue, from Sanskrit nīla dark blue

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of lilac was in 1625

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lilac.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lilac. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

lilac

noun
li·​lac ˈlī-lək How to pronounce lilac (audio) -ˌlak How to pronounce lilac (audio)
-ˌläk
1
: any of a genus of shrubs and trees related to the olive
especially : a European shrub widely grown for its showy clusters of fragrant pink, purple, or white flowers
2
: a medium purple

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