ylang-ylang

or i·lang-i·lang

[ ee-lahng-ee-lahng ]

noun

an aromatic tree, Cananga odorata, of the annona family, native to the Philippines, Java, etc., having fragrant, drooping flowers that yield a volatile oil used in perfumery.
the oil or perfume.

Origin of ylang-ylang

First recorded in 1875–80, ylang-ylang is from the Tagalog word ilang-ilang

Words Nearby ylang-ylang

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ylang-ylang in a sentence

The house was a delicious little nest among orange-trees and ylang-ylang.
An Eagle Flight | Jos Rizal
Essence of ylang-ylang is distilled in Manila and other towns; it used to fetch formerly 1000 francs per kilogramme.
The Inhabitants of the Philippines | Frederic H. Sawyer
In the cool shade of the ylang-ylang tree a native barber is intent upon his customer.
The Great White Tribe in Filipinia | Paul T. Gilbert
I believe I have discovered the ylang-ylang tree, about which there has been so much mystery.
The Life of Mrs. Robert Louis Stevenson | Nellie van De Grift Sanchez
On the other hand, her attempt at making perfume from the moso'oi flower (said to be the real ylang-ylang) was a distinct success.
The Life of Mrs. Robert Louis Stevenson | Nellie van De Grift Sanchez

British Dictionary definitions for ylang-ylang

ylang-ylang

ilang-ilang

/ (ˌiːlæŋˈiːlæŋ) /

noun

an aromatic Asian tree, Cananga odorata (or Canangium odoratum), with fragrant greenish-yellow flowers yielding a volatile oil: family Annonaceae
the oil obtained from this tree, used in perfumery

Origin of ylang-ylang

C19: from Tagalog ilang-ilang

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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