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

But hikers along country trails will often encounter the sweet scent of the flowers as their fragrance fills the air, competing with the fresh perfume of pines or lilacs. —Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025

Parton now has a plant propagated from that smuggled cutting in the section of his garden devoted to Russian lilacs. —Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025

Choose from nine shades, ranging from mahogany to pink lilac, or top off with the bronze glow option. —Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 19 Nov. 2024

For the runway, Levy played with a range of eye shadow shades and opacities on the lips, from sheer, pearlescent lilac to full-on, shimmering lime green. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 20 May 2025

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

Rhymes for lilac

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback

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