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

Take your pick from seven hues, including neutrals like gray and navy and brighter pops of color like rose pink and lilac. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026

With colors like lilac, pink, red, blue, yellow, and black, there is a Sproos for every personality and every space. — ABC News, 21 July 2026

Bieber's nails were her preferred length and shape—medium almonds—and painted with a few coats of a creamy sky blue polish with a lilac-y undertone. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 20 July 2026

Nosferatu spotlights wet, dewy lilac, one of those early spring blooms that perfumers often use to emulate the smell of rain. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 15 July 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