lavender

American  

[lav-uhn-der] / ˈlæv ən dər /

noun

1. a pale bluish purple.

2. 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.

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

4. Also called lavender water.  toilet water, aftershave, or the like, made with a solution of oil of lavender.

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adjective

1. of the color lavender.

2. Informal.

   1. of or relating to gay male sexual orientation.

   2. (of a man) gay or effeminate.

lavender British  

/ ˈlævəndə /

noun

1. 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

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

3. 1. a pale or light bluish-purple to a very pale violet colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      lavender socks

4. perfume scented with lavender

5. informal (modifier) of or relating to homosexuality

   lavender language

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Etymology

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”; livid , -ule

Example Sentences

Perhaps a hint of lavender in Ford’s new-car spritz?

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Besson innovates with a subplot about Dracul’s foray into the world of perfume as he develops an intoxicating fragrance in Florence using French lavender, testing the potion on the pre-Revolution socialites in towering white-powdered wigs.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

And, of course, there is Lisa, who spends the first episode doing a posh take on Diane Keaton’s “Annie Hall” wardrobe, complete with a lavender cravat.

From Salon • Dec. 2, 2025

The grand living room has a double-height ceiling, arched windows, French doors, robin’s-egg blue wall, a purple tufted bar, and a pink, lavender, and fuchsia pool table.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 15, 2025

I’ve never had the nerve to tell her I actually like lavender better.

From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper

Related Words

• lilac
• violet