fleur-de-lis

noun

variants or less commonly fleur-de-lys
plural fleurs-de-lis or fleur-de-lis also fleurs-de-lys or fleur-de-lys ˌflər-də-ˈlē(z) How to pronounce fleur-de-lis (audio)
ˌflu̇r-
1
2
: a conventionalized iris in artistic design and heraldry

Illustration of fleur-de-lis

Illustration of fleur-de-lis
  • fleur-de-lis 2

Examples of fleur-de-lis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Another version of Hôtel Balzac occupied this space before the current one, but word on the street is that the former venue—with heavy curtains, decadent fleur-de-lis bed spreads, and a real King Louis XIV aesthetic—was due for a makeover. Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026 There are even more gemstones above the band, including diamond and ruby crosses and fleur-de-lis, and at the top, a diamond monde and a diamond cross with St. Edward's Sapphire at its center. Emma Banks, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026 Structures can take the shape of anything from reindeer and frogs to crawfish and fleur-de-lis. Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2025 Maple syrup is as representative of the province as the fleur-de-lis. Pamela MacNaughtan, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Nov. 2025 But the real source of pride for some may have been the fountain's ability to make the shape of a fleur-de-lis, a symbol synonymous with Louisville. Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 12 July 2025 The fleur-de-lis has long been associated with the French royalty, its origins going back almost 1,000 years. Ben Morse, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025 In the contemporary United States, the fleur-de-lis has a less divine presence when Saints players tackle other teams’ players—but that has legal significance, the judges note. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2025 The pieces are adorned with cotton fleur-de-lis prints, a symbol that represents the city’s French roots. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English flourdelis, from Anglo-French flur de lis, literally, lily flower

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fleur-de-lis was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fleur-de-lis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fleur-de-lis. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

fleur-de-lis

noun
variants or fleur-de-lys
ˌflərd-ᵊl-ˈē
ˌflu̇rd-
plural fleurs-de-lis or fleur-de-lis or fleurs-de-lys or fleur-de-lys
ˌflərd-ᵊl-ˈē(z)
ˌflu̇rd-
1
2
: a simple drawing of an iris used in art and heraldry
Etymology

Middle English flourdelis "fleur-de-lis," from early French flur de lis, literally, "flower of the lily"

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