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

Crepe myrtles, a deciduous and evergreen tree that is considered the lilac of the south, provide seed pods in the fall and winter. —Lauren David, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2025

This fall, the lamp was presented in an array of new colors like blue klein, green, light blue, lilac and yellow. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 20 Nov. 2025

Dressed in a carnival-ready color palette, Lipa wore a lilac Fanci Club bustier corset with lacy red undercladding, paired with indigo blue straight leg jeans, lilac Jimmy Choo Jenna MM mules, a gold chain necklace, and a leopard print Maison Margiela Loved to Death tote bag. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2025

For a lower-stakes, breezier project, try a camellias-lilacs-and-sunflower wooden bouquet ($40) or a faintly Lovecraftian punch-out assembly kit for a venomous blue-ringed octopus ($40). —Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 15 Nov. 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