lavender

[ lav-uhn-der ]

noun

1. a pale bluish purple.
2. any Old World plant or shrub belonging to the genus Lavandula, of the mint family, especially L. angustifolia, having spikes of fragrant, pale purple flowers.
3. the dried flowers or other parts of this plant placed among linen, clothes, etc., for scent or as a preservative.
4. Also called lav·en·der wa·ter [lav, -, uh, n-der waw-ter, wot-er] toilet water, aftershave, or the like, made with a solution of oil of lavender.

adjective

1. of the color lavender.
2. Informal.
   1. of or relating to gay male sexual orientation.
   2. (of a man) gay or effeminate.

lavender

/ ˈlævəndə /

noun

1. any of various perennial shrubs or herbaceous plants of the genus Lavandula, esp L. vera, cultivated for its mauve or blue flowers and as the source of a fragrant oil ( oil of lavender ): family Lamiaceae (labiates) See also spike lavender Compare sea lavender
2. the dried parts of L. vera, used to perfume clothes
3. 1. a pale or light bluish-purple to a very pale violet colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      lavender socks

4. perfume scented with lavender
5. informal.
   modifier of or relating to homosexuality

   lavender language

Word History and Origins

Origin of lavender¹

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English lavendre, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin lavendula, variant of livendula, nasalized variant (unrecorded) of lividula “a plant livid in color”; livid none, -ule none

Word History and Origins

Origin of lavender¹

C13: lavendre, via French from Medieval Latin lavendula, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

Here I was sitting on my yoga mat massaging myself with lavender oil.

From Los Angeles Times

She experimented with drought-tolerant trees and shrubs including lavenders and even bulbs like daffodils, but “I began to realize that so much of what I planted wasn’t doing well,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

A relic of the past, a giant disco ball, was suspended over the stage near the $1,400 seats, which weren’t seats at all but lavender couches.

From Los Angeles Times

On a recent Tuesday evening, an aisle end cap near the front of a BevMo location in Torrance prominently featured an assortment of cans in flavors including lemon lavender and a mock old fashioned cocktail.

From Los Angeles Times

I was in a Huntington Beach coffee shop on a Saturday morning, sipping a lavender latte, when he called to finalize plans.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• lilac
• violet