fleur-de-lis

IPA/ˌflɜː də ˈliː/
IPA/ˌflɜːr də ˈliː/

fleur-de-lis — noun

1. a stylised flower shape with three pointed petals joined at the base, long used

1.nounC2
Definition

a stylised flower shape with three pointed petals joined at the base, long used as an emblem on flags, shields, and royal coats of arms — most famously linked to the French monarchy and to the city of New Orleans.

Example

The old French royal flag carries a gold fleur-de-lis on a blue background.

the fleur-de-lis of [country / royal house]

Zayd noticed a small fleur-de-lis carved into the corner of the church door.

Common collocations
  • golden fleur-de-lis
  • the fleur-de-lis of France
  • a fleur-de-lis on a flag / shield / banner
Synonyms
  • emblem

    general word for any symbol that stands for a group; fleur-de-lis is one specific kind

  • crest

    the badge on a coat of arms; a fleur-de-lis often appears as the central crest

Grammar Patterns

the fleur-de-lis of [country/team/family]

Usage Note

Subject is usually a flag, shield, banner, fabric, or carving. The plural is normally written 'fleurs-de-lis' (also 'fleurs-de-lys'). Often appears with 'gold/golden' as the typical colour.

Common Mistakes

The fleur-de-lis is the official flower of France.
The fleur-de-lis is a royal symbol of France.
the word names the stylised emblem, not a real flower used as a national flower.

2. a tall garden flower of the iris family, with long thin leaves shaped like a swo

2.nounC2
Definition

a tall garden flower of the iris family, with long thin leaves shaped like a sword and large bright petals — the real plant that the heraldic shape was first drawn from.

Example

Caleb planted a row of fleur-de-lis along the back wall of his small garden.

collocation: plant / grow a fleur-de-lis

In late spring the fleur-de-lis by the pond opened into bright purple flowers.

Common collocations
  • a bed of fleur-de-lis
  • purple / yellow / white fleur-de-lis
Synonyms
  • iris

    the everyday English name for the same plant; far more common in modern speech

Grammar Patterns

plant / grow / pick a fleur-de-lis

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 (the heraldic emblem): this sense names the living plant in a garden or vase. Most modern English speakers say 'iris' for the plant and reserve 'fleur-de-lis' for the symbol; the plant reading is now rare.

Common Mistakes

I picked a fleur-de-lis from the flag.
I picked a fleur-de-lis from the garden.
only the living plant can be picked; the symbol is a drawing or carving.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words name a visual symbol that stands for a group, place, or family, but they differ in shape, formality, and how they are used. 'Emblem' is the most general — any picture, sign, or simple drawing that represents something, like a star, an eagle, or a flower. 'Crest' is the small badge at the top of a coat of arms, often worn on uniforms, ties, or school blazers. 'Insignia' is more formal and usually means an official badge of rank or office in an army, a club, or a government body. 'Fleur-de-lis' is the most specific of the four: it names one particular shape — the stylised three-petal flower — most often linked to French royalty, the Boy Scouts, and the city of New Orleans. So a fleur-de-lis can be the central image inside a crest, an emblem on a flag, or an insignia on a soldier's badge, but a plain star or eagle could never be called a fleur-de-lis.

fleur-de-lis ↗emblem ↗crest ↗insignia ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • gold fleur-de-lis
  • royal fleur-de-lis
  • fleur-de-lis pattern
  • fleur-de-lis emblem

Phrases

  • bear a fleur-de-lis
  • display a fleur-de-lis
  • the fleur-de-lis of France

Prepositions

  • fleur-de-lis on (a flag / shield / cap)
  • fleur-de-lis of (France / a royal house)

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

From Old French 'flor de lis', meaning literally 'flower of the lily', though the real-world plant the design was based on is now thought to be the yellow iris rather than the lily. The phrase came into English in the late 1300s, first as a heraldic term for the royal emblem of France, and only later as another name for the iris plant itself.