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.
-
pure; unsullied.
the lily truth.
-
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:
“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
Two years ago, he turned several straggly islands off Miami into blooming lily pads by surrounding them with hot-pink fabric.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 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
Tables were dressed in green linens and had seasonal spring bouquets featuring butterfly ranunculus, phlox, and lily of the valley.
From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026
In such places my spirit lifted to the sight of the drifts of white clover or the clouds of purple vetch with here and there the flaming cup of a wood lily.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
The movie “9 to 5” from 1980 settled her broadening stardom; acting alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in a comedy about three office workers who get even with an abusive boss, Parton charmed viewers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 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 Tomlin, Parton's co-star in the 1980 film "9 to 5" posted a black and white picture of the two of them decades earlier, captioning it simply: "No words".
From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026
A new federal housing law is aimed at slashing red tape associated with producing modular and manufactured homes, the Journal’s Lily Belle Poling writes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
Lily may be the least helpful helper in the family, but she entertains me with screamed renditions of Disney songs and informs me when she thinks my T-shirts are ugly.
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
Rows of white roses and lilies lined the path into the simple room at Valentino's foundation headquarters where his wooden coffin was laid out, with loved ones sitting on either side.
From Barron's ● Jan. 21, 2026
Clare says bright lounge areas, with lots of light, are ideal for monsteras, while warm and humid kitchens suit peace lilies.
From BBC ● Jan. 14, 2026
Stargazer lilies, irises, parrot tulips, tuberoses, sweet williams, columbines, amaryllis...
From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen
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.
