lilac

noun

li·​lac ˈlī-ˌläk  -ˌlak 

-lək

1

a

: a widely cultivated European shrub (Syringa vulgaris) of the olive family that has cordate ovate leaves and large panicles of fragrant pinkish-purple or white flowers

b

: a tree or shrub congeneric with the lilac

2

: a variable color averaging a moderate purple

Illustration of lilac

• lilac 1a

Examples of lilac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The surrounding grounds feature an arboretum, Italian terraced garden, walking trails, a whispering bench, over 200 varieties of lilacs, a historic log cabin and a carriage house. —Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025

Plus, lilacs can grow tall and ultimately provide unwanted shade. —Lauren David, Southern Living, 2 July 2025

Blankets of irises grow everywhere in ditches and low places along the roadsides, and lilacs are still in full bloom in front of several houses. —Robert Finch june 18, Literary Hub, 18 June 2025

Parton said there are three tricks to get lilacs to flower in more temperate, nonfreezing areas: 1. —Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

obsolete French (now lilas), from Arabic līlak, from Persian nīlak bluish, from nīl blue, from Sanskrit nīla dark blue

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for lilac

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback

Kids Definition

lilac

noun

li·​lac ˈlī-lək  -ˌlak 

-ˌläk

1

: any of a genus of shrubs and trees related to the olive

especially : a European shrub widely grown for its showy clusters of fragrant pink, purple, or white flowers

2

: a medium purple