lilac

noun li·lac \ ˈlī-ˌläk , -ˌlak , -lək \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Definition of lilac

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

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Recent Examples of lilac from the Web

Standing next to her date in the photo, Lola sported a lilac Alice + Olivia evening gown to the dance, People reported.

— madeline farber, Fox News, "Kelly Ripa shares rare Instagram photo of daughter Lola, 16, at prom," 7 June 2018
Demi Lovato first wore the design on the red carpet at the 2017 InStyle Awards, but added a lilac grommet belt around her waist for a little extra edge and matching purple eye shadow.

— kaitlyn frey, PEOPLE.com, "Proud Mom! Kelly Ripa Shares Beautiful Photo of Daughter Lola Consuelos at Prom," 7 June 2018
The dreamy lilac hue makes a pretty statement and each pair is handcrafted in Italy by master artisans for a minimal design that’ll never go out of style.

— minna shim, Harper's BAZAAR, "Your Wear-With-Everything Sandals Updated," 4 June 2018
There is something really amazing that not one picture can give you — the smell of lilac in that room.

— rosemary feitelberg | wwd, latimes.com, "Melania Trump wears Chanel for first state dinner, Brigitte Macron goes with Louis Vuitton," 25 Apr. 2018
The State Dining Room will be decorated with more than 2,500 stems of white sweet peas and nearly 1,000 stems of white lilac, and the White House parlors will include a variety of mixed garden flowers.

— sam dangremond, Town & Country, "What to Expect at the Trumps' First State Dinner," 24 Apr. 2018
Buy Now Zara dye T-shirt Buy Now Engineered Garments x Hoka running sneaker Buy Now Baja East gradient hoodie Soft lilac and peach colors come together for a gradient hoodie from Baja East that’s pretty easy on the eyes.

— sam schube, GQ, "Level Up Your Color Game With Some Gradients," 24 Apr. 2018
The video shows delicately overflowing white floral centerpieces of sweet peas and white lilac on cream tablecloths.

— betsy klein, CNN, "White House state dinner details: Military display, French-American fare," 23 Apr. 2018
They are easily identified by the red-brown cap fading to tan, white to lilac-gray gills, firm texture, and annulus (ring) around the stout stipe (stalk).

— Sunset, "How to Grow Mushrooms," 22 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lilac.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.