What does lily mean?
The word lily ordinarily denotes a bulbous flowering plant of the genus Lilium or the ornamental flower produced by such a plant. Gardeners cultivate numerous varieties for their showy blooms, which may be white, yellow, orange, pink, red, or purple. The word also occurs in familiar compound names such as water lily, lily of the valley, Madonna lily, and Easter lily, some of which refer to plants that are not true lilies. In heraldry, a stylized lily can appear as a decorative charge, most famously in the fleur-de-lis. White lilies have acquired strong symbolic associations with purity, innocence, and remembrance, particularly through their use in Christian imagery and commemorative ceremonies. Because lily also names a widely recognized ornamental flower, it is useful both for straightforward botanical description and for writing that draws on its traditional associations with elegance and beauty.
nounA bulbous flowering plant of the genus Lilium, or its showy flower. In heraldry, the term can also refer to a stylized lily or fleur-de-lis.
- A flowering plant of the genus Lilium, especially one cultivated for its ornamental bloom.
- A stylized lily used as a heraldic charge, particularly in the form of the fleur-de-lis.
"A single white lily gave the table an elegant centerpiece."
"She placed a single lily in the vase."
"In heraldry, the fleur-de-lis is represented as a stylized lily."
The standard plural is lilies, with the second syllable pronounced /liːz/.
"White lilies filled the conservatory."
The flower's everyday name preserves the ancient Latin lilium, the source of the botanical genus Lilium and the family Liliaceae.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lily come from?
The English word developed through Middle English forms such as lilie from Old French lilie. These were borrowed from Latin lilium, the ancient Latin name for the flower. The same Latin source underlies the scientific genus Lilium and names derived from it, including Liliaceae and Liliales.
Related word forms
How lily is actually used
The word is neutral in ordinary descriptions of the flower. Symbolically, white lilies often suggest purity, innocence, or remembrance, especially in religious and commemorative contexts. Botanically, a water lily is not a true member of the genus Lilium, although everyday usage commonly groups it with lilies.
Easily confused with lily
A lily belongs to the genus Lilium, whereas a lilac is a flowering shrub of the genus Syringa.