lily

1 of 2

noun

plural lilies
1
: any of a genus (Lilium of the family Liliaceae, the lily family) of erect perennial leafy-stemmed bulbous herbs that are native to the temperate northern hemisphere and are widely cultivated for their showy flowers
broadly : any of various plants of the lily family or of the related amaryllis or iris families
2
: any of various plants with showy flowers: such as
a
: a scarlet anemone (Anemone coronaria) of the Mediterranean region
3
lily-like adjective
or lilylike

lily

2 of 2

adjective

: resembling a lily in fairness, purity, or fragility
my lady's lily handJohn Keats

Examples of lily in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
When selecting blooms, consider durable, little to no-mess varieties like roses, lilies, or chrysanthemums. Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2025 In addition to lilies, the floral pro spotlights the limelight hydrangeas overflowing in the two large planters. Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
This native wildflower is a member of the lily family that produces stunning spikes of fragrant bloom sin shades of pale blue, pink, or white. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025 At Maire Nui Gardens, frangipani and hibiscus spill over lava rock paths, and dragonflies skim lily ponds. Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lily

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English lilie, from Old English, from Latin lilium

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lily was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lily. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

lily

noun
ˈlil-ē
plural lilies
: any of a genus of herbs with leafy stems that grow from bulbs and have funnel-shaped flowers
also : any of various related plants

More from Merriam-Webster on lily

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