lily of the valley

American  

noun

plural

lilies of the valley

1. a plant, Convallaria majalis, having an elongated cluster of small, drooping, bell-shaped, fragrant white flowers.

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lily of the valley British  

noun

1. a small liliaceous plant, Convallaria majalis, of Eurasia and North America cultivated as a garden plant, having two long oval leaves and spikes of white bell-shaped flowers

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Etymology

Origin of lily of the valley

First recorded in 1555–65

Example Sentences

These include motifs of a horse and corgi, references to art and theatre to mark "her enduring support for culture", as well as some of her favourite flowers - roses and lily of the valley.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

All three sections brim with short essays on various plant species such as rose, clover, iris, violet, daisy and lily of the valley, which Dior fashioned into silhouettes and blossoming decorative surfaces.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

It describes the coming of a September evening and references one of the queen’s favorite flowers, the lily of the valley.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 13, 2022

Soon, classic floral scents — rose, lily of the valley, violet, stephanotis — were sold alongside grooming products, bespoke fragrances concocted for wealthy clients in the shop’s cellar.

From New York Times • May 9, 2018

Our house, Mother adjusting Papa’s tie in the kitchen, the lily of the valley, Grandma...Her face soothed me somehow.

From "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys