ylang-ylang

noun

ˌē-ˌläŋ-ˈē-ˌläŋ 

variants or less commonly ilang-ilang

1

: a tree (Cananga odorata) of the custard-apple family that is native to the Malay Archipelago, the Philippines, and adjacent areas and has very fragrant greenish-yellow flowers

2

: a perfume distilled from the flowers of the ylang-ylang tree

Examples of ylang-ylang in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Eagle-eyed viewers of Swift’s 2020 documentary Miss Americana spotted a bottle of Tom Ford Santal Blush (cinnamon bark oil, ylang-ylang, Australian sandalwood, per Sephora) among her grooming items backstage during the Reputation tour. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 21 May 2025

During his tours to ylang-ylang plantations and essential oil distilleries, Rasambainarivo shows travelers the intricate process of flower harvesting and distillation. —Emese MacZko, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025

Rose fragrances and ylang-ylang can lull you to sleep too. —Miranda Silva, Architectural Digest, 17 Mar. 2025

There are Basquiat ski helmets, Basquiat wristwatches, and a Basquiat candle, which smells of ylang-ylang and smoked tea. —Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Tagalog

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ylang-ylang

• bang
• chuang
• clang
• dang
• drang
• fang
• gang
• gangue
• hang
• hange
• kang
• kiang