lilac

noun

li·​lac ˈlī-ˌläk How to pronounce lilac (audio) -ˌlak How to pronounce lilac (audio)
-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

Illustration of lilac
  • lilac 1a

Examples of lilac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This fun lilac Brooks Defyance Max shoe was designed with all-day wear in mind. — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026 Introduced in the early 1900s, the small, chewy candies came in flavors like lime, lemon, lilac, orange, and cherry and were famous for being almost impossibly firm. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2026 In pictures obtained by the Daily Mail, Affleck paired a button-down with black pants, while his 20-year-old daughter wore a lilac cardigan, a red skirt, and sneakers. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 24 Aug. 2026 The abundant mountain lilac, laurel sumac and sage kicked this to one to my favorites list. — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lilac

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of lilac was in 1625

Rhymes for lilac

See All Rhymes for lilac

Browse Nearby Words

likuta
lilac
lilac daphne
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lilac.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lilac. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lilac

noun
li·​lac ˈlī-lək How to pronounce lilac (audio) -ˌlak How to pronounce lilac (audio)
-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

More from Merriam-Webster on lilac

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lilac

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