lily
noun
any scaly-bulbed plant of the genus Lilium, having showy, funnel-shaped or bell-shaped flowers.
lily
1 American
[lil-ee]
/ ˈlɪl i /
noun
-
lilies
plural
-
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.
adjective
-
white as a lily.
her lily hands.
-
delicately fair.
a lily maiden.
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pure; unsullied.
the lily truth.
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pale; fragile; weak.
idioms
Lily
2
American
[lil-e]
/ ˈlɪl ɛ /
Or
Lilly
noun
lily
British
/ ˈlɪlɪ /
noun
-
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
lily
More Idioms
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of lily
before 1000; Middle English, Old English lilie < Latin līlium; compare Greek leírion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The norm at U.S. companies is for management to gild the lily, knowing the analysts at big Wall Street brokers will relay the spin as their own.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
“A resort-style pool, tranquil lily ponds, meandering pathways, shaded terraces, and a full-size tennis court create moments of both recreation and quiet reflection, where the sounds of nature replace the pace of everyday life.”
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
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
It also said florists should open to sell fragrant lily of the valley, which is traditionally sold on Labour Day in France.
From Barron's ● May 1, 2026
He made his way lazily among the green expanse of lily pads and beaver lodges on the south side of Union Bay until he found a spot he liked.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
For British kitesurfer Lily Young, who is targeting a place at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, the pressure to find a competitive edge can itself create surplus.
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026
He is survived by his wife, daughter Lily, mother Jackie and brother Brian.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026
Walters said he was reassured when he got on a video call with SinoUnited Hospital hematologist Lily Zhou, who did her postdoctoral work at the University of California, San Francisco.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026
Parton's breakout screen role came in the 1980 workplace comedy 9 to 5, where she starred alongside Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dabney Coleman.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
Lily flips through the newspaper until she recognizes the big square with the astrology signs.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
Designed by Gaudí, the Nativity façade is both naturalistic and overflowing with natural imagery: lilies and palm trees, a tortoise and sea turtle, insects and frogs, sheep and ducks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
"Kank lived in a landscape of meandering rivers and streams with seasonal ponds, inhabited by aquatic plants such as water lilies and animals including fish, insects, and various molluscs," says Dr. Motta.
From Science Daily ● May 29, 2026
In the darkness of the night air, it briefly looks as though the women carry silver calla lilies that are blooming from their palms.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 2, 2026
White roses and lilies surrounded the coffin as it was carried into the basilica to the sound of Mozart.
From BBC ● Jan. 23, 2026
Now he made roses and mums and lilies, the repetitive, familiar motion soothing.
From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon
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.
