any scaly-bulbed plant of the genus Lilium, having showy, funnel-shaped or bell-shaped flowers.
the flower or the bulb of such a plant.
any of various related or similar plants or their flowers, as the mariposa lily or the calla lily.
fleur-de-lis, especially as the symbol of France.
Bowling. a split in which the five, seven, and ten pins remain standing.
white as a lily.
her lily hands.
delicately fair.
a lily maiden.
pure; unsullied.
the lily truth.
pale; fragile; weak.
any liliaceous perennial plant of the N temperate genus Lilium, such as the Turk's-cap lily and tiger lily, having scaly bulbs and showy typically pendulous flowers
the bulb or flower of any of these plants
any of various similar or related plants, such as the water lily, plantain lily, and day lily
before 1000; Middle English, Old English lilie < Latin līlium; compare Greek leírion
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Her bridal bouquet included sweet peas, myrtle – a tradition in Ms Sperling's family and for the Royal Family – and lily of the valley.
From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026
There are plenty of signs that the gild is coming off the lily of the most robust AI forecasts.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026
The lily is one of the first flowers to bloom in spring.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026
The mothers spend the days foraging for fruit, nuts, and water lily seeds, while children splash in the river's murky waters.
From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026
Lily of the valley bore clusters of brightest red; but the false lily of the valley in the woods had berries that were speckled with brown.
From "Miracles on Maple Hill" by Virginia Sorensen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
