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

The 59-year-old actress wore a lilac figure-hugging satin gown by McQueen from the brand’s Fall/Winter ‘26 collection. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 24 June 2026

Thomas Jefferson grew lilacs, and Walt Whitman wrote about them in his poetry. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2026

Doolittle wants to see more people wearing the color lilac this summer. — Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026

This nine-day celebration has been held annually since 1949 to celebrate the island’s 250-plus varieties of blooming lilacs, the scent of which fills the air during late spring and early summer. — Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 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