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

On last night’s Actor Awards red carpet (formerly known as the SAG Awards), Emma Stone’s lilac Louis Vuitton reopened the case for a simple slip dress and matching cardigan. —Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2026

Shop it in multiple colors, including a pretty lilac shade that's perfect for spring. —Claire Peltier, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026

Early Many types of shrubs, like lilac, flower on old wood—branches and stems that grew the previous year—so pruning those pieces of wood means losing buds and ending up with a much less vibrant outdoor space. —Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 26 Feb. 2026

Choose from ivory, lilac, pink, or green sets. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 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
• 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