Definition of lilac in English:

lilac

noun

1A Eurasian shrub or small tree of the olive family, which has fragrant violet, pink, or white blossom and is a popular garden ornamental.
Genus Syringa, family Oleaceae; several species, in particular the common lilac (S. vulgaris), with many cultivars
- ‘A very popular flowering shrub, lilacs serve many purposes in gardens.’
- ‘It also affects trees, such as lilacs, hydrangeas, chrysanthemums and red and Scotch pines, as well as many others.’
- ‘The sweet smell of lilies, roses, lilacs, buttercups, violets, and many other flowers Rodom could not even recognize.’
- ‘They come for the butterfly weed, lilacs, echinacea and anise hyssop, and especially for the white, lavender and pink butterfly bushes.’
- ‘There were roses, lilacs, violets, lilies of the valley, impatiens, irises, and so many more.’
- ‘The assortment was beautiful filled with tulips, lilies, lilacs and pink roses, her favourite coloured rose.’
- ‘She caught a whiff of perfumed fragrance as she passed a row of purple lilacs, and white jasmines.’
- ‘Since then it has been found mainly in rhododendrons and viburnums, pieris, camellias, lilacs and other plants which have been imported or sat alongside imports.’
- ‘He was standing in the center of a beautiful garden boasting blooming lilacs and tulips lost in a tangle of exotic plants, fruits and vegetables.’
- ‘If you are serious about lilacs, Lilacs: The Genus Syringa, is the one book that belongs on your bookshelf.’
- ‘Roger says he's used willow water for years to root azaleas, lilacs, summersweets and even roses.’
- ‘The woods were thick with new leaves and fragrant with honeysuckle and lilacs.’
- ‘In March and April alone, daphne, forsythia, camellias, Japanese quince and lilacs continue in bloom.’
- ‘There were lilies and foxgloves, roses and lilacs, and some sort of fruit tree that bore square-shaped green fruit.’
- ‘Other flowers can be dipped in light batter and fried, to make delicate sweet fritters: elderflowers, apple blossom, acacia flowers, and lilacs can be used in this manner.’
- ‘Hydrangeas are to summer as lilacs are to spring.’
- ‘In addition there was a parterre of plants chosen for their scent: myrtles, jasmine, roses and lilacs, which were replaced when they began to fade.’
- ‘Under my skin my veins pule so hard, so much blood forced through them all at once, I wait to see them move, widen then shrink back down to thin strings of lilacs or purple tulips.’
- ‘The aromas of tulips, roses and lilacs filled his nostrils.’
- ‘There were some Siberian elms, lilacs and maples also.’
1. 1.1mass noun A pale pinkish-violet colour.
  as modifier ‘a lilac cardigan’
  ‘His eyes were pale lilac, coloured contacts she mused, and they seemed to sparkle in the light like jewels.’
  ‘His bungalow in London's Blackheath - home to wife Jackie and daughters Cecile and Hermione - is decorated in his favourite colour: lilac.’
  ‘I get the feeling that yellow and lilac are your favourite colours.’
  ‘With lovely chiffon dresses in colours like lime, lilac, rose, and lemon yellow you can indulge yourself.’
  ‘Upstairs, Karen's bedroom, decorated with shades of her favourite colour lilac, remains exactly as she left it.’
  ‘During anthesis, petals gradually lose their colour, becoming completely white or pale lilac by the end of anthesis.’
  ‘Some are white, many in hues of lavender and lilac, pale mauves and deep purples, and a host of other colors.’
  ‘Natural colours - pebble, mushroom and lilac - soften the industrial core and contrast well with the metal staircase that links the gallery floors.’
  ‘With harmless colours like a mild metallic lilac and beige, it looks more like a feminine home appliance than traditional home office equipment.’
  ‘Fresh and fruity colours abound: pink, turquoise, lime green, yellow, rose and lilac are complemented with soft tones of white and beige, and very pale pastels.’
  ‘Soft colours such as lilac, rosy pink, light green and silver create a light-hearted effect.’
  ‘Upstairs the master bedroom with exposed stone walls on two sides has been stylishly decorated in lilac with off-white carpeting.’
  ‘Several clouds had blanketed themselves out across the hills and mountains in the distance, dark lilac over darker purple.’
  ‘Violent lilacs, shocking pinks and hot crimson, matching the steamy temperature, mingled with more sombre beige and cream, as the ladies rose to the fashion challenge.’
  ‘The queen's bedchamber sits daintily festooned with floral pinks and lilacs in a combination with gold, overlooking the south parterre.’
  ‘Long strips of colour zigzag across the landscape like a patchwork quilt, reds and yellows mingling with purples, pinks and lilacs.’
  ‘Love letters would be in some flowery font like, ah, I dunno one of the script ones and it'd be in pretty pastel shades of pinks and lilacs.’
  ‘After a six-month absence, the come-hither tulips are extremely tempting in their lilacs, scarlets, apricots and girly pinks.’
  ‘It's coloured in Stella's preferred palate: gun-metal greys fading into muted violets and lilacs; lurid cerises and delicate eau de nil.’
  ‘Colours range from the ever-popular blues to pretty pinks, lilacs and fresh whites.’