Search Dictionary
Definition of lily of the valley

lily of the valley

Plural:lilies of the valley
JUMP TO:

• noun

1

A widespread woodland plant of the asparagus family, native to the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere, characterized by a pair of broad leaves and a graceful, drooping raceme of highly fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers.

Example

"The bride carried a delicate, fragrant bouquet composed entirely of lily of the valley."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for lily of the valley

Word Nuance & Usage

Despite its name, it is not a true lily but belongs to the asparagus family, and all parts of the plant are highly toxic if ingested.

• Nearby Words

lily
lily of the incas
lily of the nile
lily of the valley
lima
lima bean
lima beans

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Lily of the valley. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 6, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/lily-of-the-valley
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.