lily of the valley

American  

noun

lilies of the valley plural

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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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• lilies of the valley
  plural

Etymology

Origin of lily of the valley

First recorded in 1555–65

Example Sentences

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

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’s also part of a collection inspired by one of the house’s lucky charms: the lily of the valley.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2023

In spring, the bulbs send up long, straplike leaves resembling those of lily of the valley, but with a characteristic alliaceous odor.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 20, 2023

There were sprays of white lily of the valley, artfully arranged, and petals of orange blossom.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck