lilac
lilac — noun
1. a garden shrub or small tree that grows sweet-smelling clusters of purple, pale
a garden shrub or small tree that grows sweet-smelling clusters of purple, pale violet, or white blossoms
Élise cut fresh lilacs from the yard and set them on the table.
common collocation: cut / smell / plant lilacs
The lilac by Karim's gate filled the lane with a sweet smell.
Minho planted a lilac near the porch so spring bees would visit.
After the rain, white lilacs shone against the dark garden wall.
用法筆記
In gardening talk, lilac can mean the whole bush or one of its flower clusters. The plural lilacs often refers to cut branches used indoors.
2. a light purple colour that has a soft pink tone in it
a light purple colour that has a soft pink tone in it
Jason mixed white paint with purple to get a soft lilac.
pattern: get / choose / use a lilac
The designer added touches of lilac to the cafe walls and menus.
In morning light, the clouds faded from pink to lilac.
Reema prefers lilac because it feels gentler than bright purple.
用法筆記
Usually uncountable when you name the colour itself. Use a lilac when you mean one particular shade in paint, fabric, or design.
lilac — adjective
- lilacpositive
- more lilaccomparative
- most lilacsuperlative
1. describes something that is light purple with a slight pink tone
describes something that is light purple with a slight pink tone
Constanza wore a lilac sweater on the cool train ride home.
attributive adjective before a clothing noun
Theo wrapped the gift in lilac paper and tied it with string.
A lilac sunset spread above the lake after the heavy rain.
Yael bought lilac shoes to match her spring festival dress.
用法筆記
Most often used before nouns for clothes, flowers, walls, or skies. If you name the colour by itself, use the noun sense instead.