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Definition of daylily

daylily

/ˈdeɪˌlɪl.i/
day · lil · y
Plural:daylilies
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daylily Lexical Profile

daylily Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A perennial Eurasian plant of the genus Hemerocallis, cultivated widely for its large, showy, lily-like flowers that characteristically bloom and wither within a single day.

Example

"We planted a border of vibrant orange daylilies that brightened the garden throughout the summer."

Word Nuance & Usage

Despite its common name and similar appearance, the daylily is not a true lily (genus Lilium); it belongs to a different family and grows from fleshy roots rather than true bulbs.

• Nearby Words

dayglo
daylight
daylights
daylily
daylit
daylong
daypack

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 16th century by combining 'day' and 'lily', reflecting the fact that the individual blossoms of the plant typically open in the morning and wither by sunset, lasting only one day.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Daylily. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/daylily
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