lily

lil-y · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A bulbous plant with large trumpet-shaped flowers on a tall stem, typically having white, yellow, orange, or pink petals.

  2. 2.

    A heraldic fleur-de-lis.

Forms

plural: lilies

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    lily of the valley — A small plant with fragrant white bell-shaped flowers.
  • •
    water lily — An aquatic plant with broad floating leaves and showy flowers.
  • •
    gilding the lily — Adding unnecessary ornamentation to something already beautiful.
  • •
    lily-white — Pure white; also used to describe someone as innocent or morally pure.

Related words

See also: flower, orchid, rose, tulip
Synonyms: bloom, flower

Etymology

From Old English lilie, from Latin lilium, from Greek leirion ("lily").