lavender

[ lav-uhn-der ]

/ ˈlæv ən dər /

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See synonyms for lavender on Thesaurus.com

noun

a pale bluish purple.

any Old World plant or shrub belonging to the genus Lavandula, of the mint family, especially L. angustifolia, having spikes of fragrant, pale purple flowers.

the dried flowers or other parts of this plant placed among linen, clothes, etc., for scent or as a preservative.

Also called lav·en·der wa·ter

[lav-uhn-der waw-ter, wot-er] /ˈlæv ən dər ˌwɔ tər, ˌwɒt ər/ toilet water, aftershave, or the like, made with a solution of oil of lavender.

adjective

of the color lavender.

Informal.

of or relating to gay male sexual orientation.
(of a man) gay or effeminate.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of lavender

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English lavendre, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin lavendula, variant of livendula, nasalized variant (unrecorded) of lividula “a plant livid in color”; see livid, -ule

Words nearby lavender

lavation, lavatorial, lavatory, lavatory paper, lave, lavender, lavender bag, lavender ceiling, lavender cotton, lavender water, laver

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use lavender in a sentence

You can either add a flower on top as a final garnish or create a lavender syrup to add a fresh, floral touch to any drink.
Craft herbaceous homemade drinks with simple syrup infusions|LaVonne Roberts|August 26, 2021|Popular-Science
Sherman also pointed out the so-called “lavender scare” during which upwards of 1,000 State Department personnel lost their jobs because of their sexual orientation.
State Department flies Pride flag for first time|Michael K. Lavers|June 25, 2021|Washington Blade
Hike the three miles of trails in Maury Island Marine Park, or cut your own lavender bunches at Lavender Hill Farm.
Beachfront Airbnbs for Under $300 a Night|Megan Michelson|June 15, 2021|Outside Online
On days I’m feeling more feminine, I have one that’s amber, lavender and vanilla.
Demi Lovato is confronting her demons in real time|Bethonie Butler|March 25, 2021|Washington Post

She found the lavender for her daughter-in-law, an “Elderberry Super Immunity Blend” for her son, and a “Crafty Christmas” card to accompany her traditional holiday basket gifts.
Small Business Saturday spotlights pandemic-inspired entrepreneurship|Emily Davies|November 28, 2020|Washington Post
New Orleanians loved the frilly, pale lavender flowers and gradually planted them as decorations around the city in garden ponds.
Lake Bacon: The Story of The Man Who Wanted Us to Eat Mississippi Hippos|Jon Mooallem|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To accompany breakfast or lunch, there's hibiscus lavender tea or locally roasted Bumper Crop coffee.
Spaghetti for Breakfast?! Not So Crazy at This Idaho Farm Café|Jane & Michael Stern|August 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Elias, the translator, knocks and a woman in a blue sweater-vest and lavender crocs answers.
He Bullies Kids and Calls It News|Brandy Zadrozny|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Also: pastel pink-and-lavender paint jobs, festooned with hearts and flowers.
Why I Finally Let My Girls Be Girly|Andy Hinds|May 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lavender is very calming and can help settle your nerves, which explains why so many baby soaps come in lavender scent.
Change Your Sense: Biohacking for Beginners|Ari Meisel|March 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Clean your tube regularly, and your amber mouthpiece with a feather dipped in spirits of lavender.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Here was a light-blue pair; there were some lavender, some all black and various shades of tan and gray.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
She looked very neat and dainty as she sat there in her white lace cap and her lavender dress.
Scattergood Baines|Clarence Budington Kelland
She was waving a twig of lavender, and little Martha was making grabs at it, and laughing her gurgling laugh of babyish glee.
The Daughters of Danaus|Mona Caird
As he entered, one of the maids rose from beside her mistress, bearing away the silver bowl of lavender water.
God Wills It!|William Stearns Davis

British Dictionary definitions for lavender

lavender

/ (ˈlævəndə) /

noun

any of various perennial shrubs or herbaceous plants of the genus Lavandula, esp L. vera, cultivated for its mauve or blue flowers and as the source of a fragrant oil (oil of lavender): family Lamiaceae (labiates)See also spike lavender Compare sea lavender

the dried parts of L. vera, used to perfume clothes

a pale or light bluish-purple to a very pale violet colour
(as adjective)lavender socks

perfume scented with lavender

(modifier) informal of or relating to homosexualitylavender language

Word Origin for lavender

C13: lavendre, via French from Medieval Latin lavendula, of obscure origin

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

lavender

Origin of lavender

Words nearby lavender

Words related to lavender

How to use lavender in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for lavender

Word Origin for lavender