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

The pawpaw is genetically related to tropical fruits around the world, such as the ylang-ylang of southeast Asia and the cherimoya of South America. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2025

Meanwhile, fragrant organic bath products are made with wild ylang-ylang growing on the property. —Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 26 Aug. 2025

Both have coconut as a main note, but Soleil Blanc’s ylang-ylang and jasmine mirror some of Alto Astral’s floral heart. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 15 Aug. 2025

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

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