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

Fragrant lilacs in white, light pink, lavender, deep purple, blue, and even yellow perfuming the air. —Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

The summit at Snoqualmie has already received more than 20 inches of snow in the past week. 01:45 PM EDT New graphic shows spread of spring flowers sweeping across US On this first day of spring, lilacs and honeysuckles are beginning to show their leaves in portions of SE and SW Pennsylvania. —Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025

What makes lilacs’ smell so alluring is a combination of about 200 volatile compounds in the oils that form on the petals. —Lily Stewart, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 May 2024

As a result, the collection consisted of Barrus' architectural silhouettes, corseted waistlines, and asymmetrical one-shoulder drape all in the color palette of soft greens, golden yellows, twilight lilacs, and ivory to mirror the beauty of Ephesus at dawn and dusk. —Pooja Shah, Forbes, 25 Feb. 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