lilac

noun

li·​lac ˈlī-ˌläk  -ˌlak 

-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

• lilac 1a

Examples of lilac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the snap, Porizkova carried a bouquet of lilacs and a few shopping bags while wearing a breezy, cherry red midi dress, with a waist-cinching belt, a preppy collared neckline, and puffed short sleeves. —Averi Baudler, Peoplemag, 12 May 2024

But all the coconut oil in the world could not suspend a fresh lilac in its mid-May state of florescence. —Lily Stewart, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 May 2024

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

Kids Definition

lilac

noun

li·​lac ˈlī-lək  -ˌlak 

-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