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Definition of lilac
lilac
/ˈlaɪ.læk/
li · lac
Plural:lilacs
•Adjective:lilac
lilac Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
4
Tier
2
Usage
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Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A widely cultivated Eurasian shrub or small tree of the olive family, bearing large clusters of fragrant, typically pale purple or white flowers in spring.
Example
"She planted a lilac in the garden so its sweet fragrance would drift through the open window every spring."
2
A pale pinkish-purple color resembling the most common hue of lilac flowers.
Example
"The bedroom was painted in a soft lilac that gave the space a calming atmosphere."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for lilacWord Origin & Etymology
From Arabic 'līlak', via Persian 'līlak' (a variant of 'nīlak' meaning bluish), ultimately rooted in Sanskrit 'nīla' (dark blue). Introduced to English in the early 17th century.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Lilac. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/lilac