water lily

noun

: any of various aquatic plants (especially genera Nymphaea and Nuphar of the family Nymphaeaceae, the water-lily family) with floating leaves and usually showy flowers

broadly : an aquatic plant (such as a water hyacinth) with showy flowers

Examples of water lily in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Schönherr’s ideas, as best one can understand them, began with a glimpse of water lilies illuminated by the sun. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Some small plants that do well in shallow water are dwarf water lilies, water forget-me-nots, water mint, and dwarf sedge varieties. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2026

Meanwhile, a juxtaposition of the subtle sweetness of water lily and jasmine adds further complexity. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026

Rachael Kemery, a botanical grower and founder of Rising Iris Farm, says that water lilies (Nymphaea) are quite demanding plants. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for water lily

• piccadilly
• bacilli
• tranquilly
• billie
• billy
• chilli
• chilly
• dilly
• filly
• frilly
• gillie
• gilly

Kids Definition

water lily

noun

: any of a family of water plants with rounded floating leaves and usually showy flowers