What does lilied mean?
Lilied is an uncommon adjective meaning covered with lilies, overgrown with lilies, or decorated with their flowers and foliage. The phrase “lilied fields” is its most familiar expression, evoking a meadow filled with lilies, although the word can apply equally to gardens, paths, clothing, and other ornamental designs. Because it ends in “-ed,” lilied may momentarily sound like a verb form, but in the adjective it has the descriptive force of “covered with lilies” or “adorned with lilies.” A second, less common sense describes something that resembles a lily in shape or appearance. The word is chiefly encountered in literary and poetic writing, where its rarity and gently archaic rhythm suit descriptions of beauty, abundance, and decoration. It is therefore more evocative than the plainer “covered with lilies,” especially when used to characterize a landscape.
adjectiveCovered, decorated, or overgrown with lilies. It can also describe something resembling a lily in appearance or form.
- Covered, decorated, or overgrown with lilies.
- Resembling a lily in appearance or form.
"The lilied borders of the old garden glowed silver in the moonlight."
"A lilied path led toward the stone fountain."
"Her dress was pale and lilied, with delicate flowers embroidered across the fabric."
The word sounds as though it describes an action, but its unusual ending simply turns “lily” into an adjective: the fields are not lilies; they are lilied.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lilied come from?
Lilied was formed from the noun “lily” with the adjectival ending “-ed,” meaning covered or adorned with the thing named. “Lily” comes ultimately from the Latin word lilium, which was borrowed into English through Old English. The derived adjective is especially associated with poetic descriptions of places and objects filled with lilies.
How lilied is actually used
Chiefly literary or poetic. It is especially associated with descriptions of landscapes, gardens, clothing, and decorative designs covered or adorned with lilies.
Easily confused with lilied
Lilied means covered with or resembling lilies, whereas lidded means fitted or furnished with a lid.