lilac

noun

li·​lac ˈlī-ˌläk  -ˌlak 

-lək

1

a

: a widely cultivated European shrub (Syringa vulgaris) of the olive family that has cordate ovate leaves and large panicles of fragrant pinkish-purple or white flowers

b

: a tree or shrub congeneric with the lilac

2

: a variable color averaging a moderate purple

Illustration of lilac

• lilac 1a

Examples of lilac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This option from notable Danish designer Montana Furniture (known for its modular storage solutions and vibrant paint jobs) boasts a myriad of eye-catching colors like a fiery red, energetic lilac, and cobalt blue to bring an air of excitement to your workday. —Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 3 June 2025

Cutting back your lilacs is critical to managing them and keeping them from growing too high. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2024

But hikers along country trails will often encounter the sweet scent of the flowers as their fragrance fills the air, competing with the fresh perfume of pines or lilacs. —Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025

Parton now has a plant propagated from that smuggled cutting in the section of his garden devoted to Russian lilacs. —Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

obsolete French (now lilas), from Arabic līlak, from Persian nīlak bluish, from nīl blue, from Sanskrit nīla dark blue

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for lilac

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback

Kids Definition

lilac

noun

li·​lac ˈlī-lək  -ˌlak 

-ˌläk

1

: any of a genus of shrubs and trees related to the olive

especially : a European shrub widely grown for its showy clusters of fragrant pink, purple, or white flowers

2

: a medium purple