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

Join the 4,000 Amazon shoppers who just snagged the spring-ready lilac color before the savings end. —Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026

Common lilacs can live for up to a century, cementing their place as a companion to rely on during every phase of our lives. —Emily Leahy, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026

Pruning a lilac after blooming not only will keep it under control, but will stimulate it to have more flowers. —Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026

The species form has flat clusters of tiny, white flowers, but cultivars are available in shades of yellow, pink, red, and lilac. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 2 May 2026

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
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

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