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

Other hostalike plants suited to Florida include caladiums and Amazon lilies. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026

In past years, this pot has held other thrillers, like canna lilies, bird of paradise, and Lemony Lace elderberry. — Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 12 Aug. 2026

Adjective

In addition to 84 feet of ocean-bluff frontage, the grounds hold the aforementioned courtyard lap pool and lily pond, along with a large grassy lawn ideal for entertaining, a viewing pergola, and a motor court with room for up to a dozen cars. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 2026

Between the charming pergola and the lily pond designed by landscape designer Charles Eaton, what’s not to love? — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 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