lilac

American  

[lahy-luhk, -lahk, -lak] / ˈlaɪ lək, -lɑk, -læk /

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.

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adjective

1. having the color lilac.

lilac British  

/ 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. another name for goat's-rue

3. 1. a light or moderate purple colour, sometimes with a bluish or reddish tinge

   2. ( as adjective )

      a lilac carpet

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Etymology

Origin of lilac

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

Example Sentences

That’s no small attraction, though, for the multiplicity of hues—cerulean, lilac, coral, seafoam, sienna—are hypnotically rendered.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Infiniti oozed glamour in a lilac sleeveless Louis Vuitton dress with a fitted bodice and a cascade of ruffles tumbling from her hip to the floor, creating a long train.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

The duo stared up in the sky as dozens of lilac balloons burst into the sky.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 12, 2025

Once cooled, they went into crinkly cellophane bags from Party Central, each one tied with a bit of lilac curling ribbon.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2025

A huge orange moon was rising just above the trees at the far end of the garden, and a branch of an old lilac tree tap-tapped in the light wind against the window pane.

From "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford

Related Words

• color
• lavender
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• periwinkle
• plum
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