View synonyms for

lilac

[ lahy-luhk, -lahk, -lak ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of various shrubs belonging to the genus Syringa, of the olive family, as S. vulgaris, having large clusters of fragrant purple or white flowers: the state flower of New Hampshire.
pale reddish purple.

adjective

having the color lilac.

lilac

/ ˈ��ɪ��ə�� /

noun

Also calledsyringa any of various Eurasian oleaceous shrubs or small trees of the genus Syringa, esp S. vulgaris ( common lilac ) which has large sprays of purple or white fragrant flowers
French lilac
another name for goat's-rue
1. a light or moderate purple colour, sometimes with a bluish or reddish tinge
2. ( as adjective )
  a lilac carpet

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Word History and Origins

Origin of lilac¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from obsolete French, from Spanish, from Arabic ��ī��, from Persian ��ī��, assimilated variant of ��ī�� “bluish,” equivalent to ��ī�� “blue, indigo” (from Sanskrit ��ī��a ) + -ak a suffix indicating relationship or origin

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Word History and Origins

Origin of lilac¹

C17: via French from Spanish, from Arabic ��ī��, changed from Persian ��ī�� bluish, from ��ī�� blue

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A shattered lilac plate from my sister-in-law can be glued back together.

From

Once cooled, they went into crinkly cellophane bags from Party Central, each one tied with a bit of lilac curling ribbon.

From

Mace said she’d build a concrete house and the yard would have oak, sycamore, toyon, lemonade berry and lilac.

From

But we find Olga, already waiting by the roadside, wrapped up in a lilac winter coat and furry hood.

From

Here are plants and flowers to enjoy, one for every month of the year, from lilacs, camellias and poinsettias to native buckwheat, wildflowers and toyon.

From

lila lilaceous

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