Illustration of fleur-de-lis
- fleur-de-lis 2
fleur-de-lis
noun
ˌflər-də-ˈlē 
ˌflu̇r-
variants
or less commonly fleur-de-lys
plural fleurs-de-lis or fleur-de-lis also fleurs-de-lys or fleur-de-lys
ˌflər-də-ˈlē(z)
ˌflu̇r-
1
2
: a conventionalized iris in artistic design and heraldry
Examples of fleur-de-lis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The truly maximalist interior style mixed a variety of colors and patterns, including intricate William Morris designs, traditional damasks and fleur-de-lis, vibrant jewel tones, and rich woods.
—
Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Nov. 2023
The piece features festoon and fleur-de-lis patterns, and it can also be worn as a necklace.
—Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 18 Oct. 2023
Past the heavy wood front door is a fleur-de-lis crest embedded in the foyer’s marble floor, an indoor atrium that can be heated to temperatures high enough to grow tropical fruits and a library that consumes two levels of one of the turrets.
—Jeastman, oregonlive, 17 Aug. 2023
There are frescoes above stairways and a fleur-de-lis crest embedded in the foyer’s marble floor.
—Jeastman, oregonlive, 7 July 2023
The Andover Mills Kizer Hanging Porch Swing features a simple and elegant design but stands out for its striking fleur-de-lis shape on the seat back.
—Nor'adila Hepburn, Southern Living, 26 June 2023
Cibrian proposed with a 5-carat oval diamond set in rose gold fleur-de-lis connected to the band.
—Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 24 June 2023
Made of ivory and gold the ancient scepter features the national emblems of the rose, thistle, harp and fleur-de-lis with a cross, on which perches an enameled dove.
—Monique Jessen, Peoplemag, 10 May 2023
And the beautiful black helmet with the fleur-de-lis running down the center that debuted in 2022?
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2023
See More
Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Nov. 2023
The piece features festoon and fleur-de-lis patterns, and it can also be worn as a necklace.
—Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 18 Oct. 2023
Past the heavy wood front door is a fleur-de-lis crest embedded in the foyer’s marble floor, an indoor atrium that can be heated to temperatures high enough to grow tropical fruits and a library that consumes two levels of one of the turrets.
—Jeastman, oregonlive, 17 Aug. 2023
There are frescoes above stairways and a fleur-de-lis crest embedded in the foyer’s marble floor.
—Jeastman, oregonlive, 7 July 2023
The Andover Mills Kizer Hanging Porch Swing features a simple and elegant design but stands out for its striking fleur-de-lis shape on the seat back.
—Nor'adila Hepburn, Southern Living, 26 June 2023
Cibrian proposed with a 5-carat oval diamond set in rose gold fleur-de-lis connected to the band.
—Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 24 June 2023
Made of ivory and gold the ancient scepter features the national emblems of the rose, thistle, harp and fleur-de-lis with a cross, on which perches an enameled dove.
—Monique Jessen, Peoplemag, 10 May 2023
And the beautiful black helmet with the fleur-de-lis running down the center that debuted in 2022?
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fleur-de-lis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English flourdelis, from Anglo-French flur de lis, literally, lily flower
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of fleur-de-lis was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near fleur-de-lis
Cite this Entry
“Fleur-de-lis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fleur-de-lis. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
fleur-de-lis
noun
variants
or fleur-de-lys
ˌflərd-ᵊl-ˈē,
ˌflu̇rd-
plural fleurs-de-lis or fleur-de-lis or fleurs-de-lys or fleur-de-lys
ˌflərd-ᵊl-ˈē(z),
ˌflu̇rd-
1
2
: a simple drawing of an iris used in art and heraldry
Etymology
Middle English flourdelis "fleur-de-lis," from early French flur de lis, literally, "flower of the lily"
More from Merriam-Webster on fleur-de-lis
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fleur-de-lis
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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