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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

lilac

/ˈlaɪlək/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:05
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What does lilac mean?

noun

  1. A large shrub of the genus Syringa, especially Syringa vulgaris, bearing white, pale-pink, or purple flowers.
  2. A flower of the lilac shrub.
  3. A pale purple color, the color of some lilac flowers.
More meanings (4)

noun

  1. A cat having a lilac-colored (pale brown) coat.

adjective

  1. Having a pale purple colour.
  2. Of a cat or its fur: having a pale brown colour, lighter than chocolate.

proper noun

  1. A female given name from English.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈlaɪlək/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Other dictionary pronunciations

/ˈlaɪlæk//ˈlaɪlɑk/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

This is true of most fruit-trees, and such shrubs as lilac, forsythia, tree peony, wistaria, some spireas and viburnums, weigela, deutzia.
L. H. (Liberty Hyde) BaileyManual of Gardening (Second Edition) A Practical Guide to the Making of Home Grounds and the Growing of Flowers, Fruits, and Vegetables for Home UseProject Gutenberg ebook #9550
It was a little dialogue between asters and sweet-peas, wild canaries in the lilac bush, and the guardian spirit of the garden.
L. M. (Lucy Maud) MontgomeryAnne of the IslandProject Gutenberg ebook #51
More book examples (3)
They had chosen a very pretty site near the top of a tall white lilac, within easy eye-shot of a chamber window.
James Russell LowellMy Garden AcquaintanceProject Gutenberg ebook #880
He opened the door softly and saw her, in the lilac dress she had worn at church, walking about the room singing.
Leo, graf TolstoyWar and PeaceTranslated by Aylmer Maude; Louise MaudeProject Gutenberg ebook #2600
The very substance of the liquid itself seemed impregnated with dyes ranging in shade from wine colour to the most delicate lilac.
Stewart Edward WhiteThe ForestProject Gutenberg ebook #9376