lily

1 of 2

noun

ˈli-lē 

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

b

: water lily

c

: calla lily

3

: fleur-de-lis sense 2

lily-like adjective

or lilylike

ˈli-lē-ˌlīk 

lily

2 of 2

adjective

: resembling a lily in fairness, purity, or fragility

… my lady's lily hand …

—John Keats

Examples of lily in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This is particularly true for hydrangea paniculata, lilies, and ornamental grasses. — Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 18 July 2026

Plants like coneflowers, red hot poker flowers, and Oriental lilies draw pollinators (who in turn help boost the productivity of the vegetables and fruits), while a birdbath offers a drink. — Myles McDonnell, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2026

Adjective

Stephen Hooser, a veterinary toxicologist at Purdue University, told Campus Insights Media that all parts of the lily plant are toxic to cats. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

Crinum lilies laugh at drought, don't need fertilizer, and welcome hot, humid summers with lily-like flowers that perfume the air. — Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 13 July 2026

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

Phrases Containing lily

• atamasco lily
• belladonna lily
• calla lily
• Easter lily
• fawn lily
• foxtail lily
• gild the lily
• Jacobean lily
• lily-livered
• lily of the valley
• lily pad
• lily white
• Madonna lily
• mariposa lily
• plantain lily
• pond lily
• sand lily
• sea lily
• sego lily
• tiger lily
• trout lily
• water lily

Rhymes for lily

• billie
• billy
• chilli
• chilly
• dilly
• filly
• frilly
• gillie
• gilly
• hilly
• philly
• really

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