lily of the valley

noun phrase

: a low perennial herb (Convallaria majalis) of the asparagus family that has usually two large oblong lanceolate leaves and a raceme of fragrant nodding bell-shaped white flowers

Examples of lily of the valley in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The sweetness feels deliberate rather than overly heavy, folding into a floral heart of lily of the valley, coral rose, and orange blossom. —Pia Velasco, Allure, 10 Feb. 2026

Certain types offer more heady scents; for a romantic effect, look to roses, jasmine, gardenia, freesia, or lily of the valley. —Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026

Pricey This floral-woody fragrance combines matcha with lily of the valley, floral buddleia, guaiac wood (a warm, smoky wood), and jasmine. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2026

The beautiful smell of Marriott’s signature scent is both inspiring and mysterious, blended with top notes of cassis, sparkling Fuji apple, grapefruit, cyclamen, paired with the subtle notes of pink jasmine, rose, lily of the valley, mountain sage, white cedar, and pale musk. —Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lily of the valley

• alley
• alli
• bally
• calli
• challis
• dally
• galley
• galli
• lally
• mallee
• mally
• rally

Kids Definition

lily of the valley

: a low herb that is related to the lilies and has usually two large oblong leaves and a stalk of fragrant flowers shaped like bells

Medical Definition

lily of the valley

noun

lily of the val·​ley ˈlil-ē-əv-t͟hə-ˈval-ē 

plural lilies of the valley

1

: an erect low-growing perennial herb of the genus Convallaria (C. majalis) that has two large oblong lanceolate leaves and a raceme of fragrant nodding bell-shaped white flowers and is the source of convallaria, convallamarin, convallarin, and convallatoxin

2

: the dried rhizome and roots of the lily of the valley used as a cardiac tonic