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.
The dress was evocative of the spring season, with hues of deep purple, lilac and lavender throughout and cascading florals. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 9 Apr. 2025 Some flowering bushes such as roses, elderberry, hibiscus, and lilacs also provide edible blossoms. Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2024 Fragrant lilacs in white, light pink, lavender, deep purple, blue, and even yellow perfuming the air. Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 The summit at Snoqualmie has already received more than 20 inches of snow in the past week. 01:45 PM EDT New graphic shows spread of spring flowers sweeping across US On this first day of spring, lilacs and honeysuckles are beginning to show their leaves in portions of SE and SW Pennsylvania. Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 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 2 May. 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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