lilac

[ lahy-luhk, -lahk, -lak ]
See synonyms for lilac on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. any of various shrubs belonging to the genus Syringa, of the olive family, as S. vulgaris, having large clusters of fragrant purple or white flowers: the state flower of New Hampshire.

  2. pale reddish purple.

adjective
  1. having the color lilac.

Origin of lilac

1
First recorded in 1615–25; from obsolete French, from Spanish, from Arabic līlak, from Persian līlak, assimilated variant of nīlak “bluish,” equivalent to nīl “blue, indigo” (from Sanskrit nīla ) + -ak a suffix indicating relationship or origin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use lilac in a sentence

  • She arose and brushed her hands against each other, moving towards the opening in the lilacs.

    Tessa Wadsworth's Discipline | Jennie M. Drinkwater
  • But I could smell the lilacs she had left, and the scent of them seemed like the wraith of her presence in the sunny room.

    The Idyl of Twin Fires | Walter Prichard Eaton
  • In this yard were lilacs of a large growth, roses of various kinds, and flowering almonds.

    Charles Duran | The Author of The Waldos
  • The backs of the gigs were sheltered from the road by a hedge of lilacs, and over the gateway a gigantic elm kept watch and ward.

    East Anglia | J. Ewing Ritchie
  • Lilacs and snowballs bloomed, and Professor Kelton went serenely about among his roses.

    A Hoosier Chronicle | Meredith Nicholson

British Dictionary definitions for lilac

lilac

/ (ˈlaɪlək) /


noun
  1. Also called: syringa any of various Eurasian oleaceous shrubs or small trees of the genus Syringa, esp S. vulgaris (common lilac) which has large sprays of purple or white fragrant flowers

  2. French lilac another name for goat's-rue (def. 1)

    • a light or moderate purple colour, sometimes with a bluish or reddish tinge

    • (as adjective): a lilac carpet

Origin of lilac

1
C17: via French from Spanish, from Arabic līlak, changed from Persian nīlak bluish, from nīl blue

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012