Advertisement

Advertisement

lily of the valley

noun

, plural lilies of the valley.
  1. a plant, Convallaria majalis, having an elongated cluster of small, drooping, bell-shaped, fragrant white flowers.


lily of the valley

noun

  1. a small liliaceous plant, Convallaria majalis, of Eurasia and North America cultivated as a garden plant, having two long oval leaves and spikes of white bell-shaped flowers
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of lily of the valley1

First recorded in 1555–65
Discover More

Example Sentences

I was alone in the night and the jewelry case, with nothing beside me but a crushed stalk of lily of the valley.

The former prime minister, who left Downing Street in May 2019, is portrayed holding a lily of the valley - a plant which usually flowers in the month of May.

From BBC

It’s also part of a collection inspired by one of the house’s lucky charms: the lily of the valley.

In spring, the bulbs send up long, straplike leaves resembling those of lily of the valley, but with a characteristic alliaceous odor.

She wore her hair in a low bun and carried a bouquet of lilies of the valley.

Advertisement

Discover More

More About Lily Of The Valley

What is a lily of the valley?

The lily of the valley is a plant with fragrant, bell-shaped, white flowers.

The name is sometimes hyphenated, as lily-of-the-valley. Its plural is lilies of the valley. Its scientific name is Convallaria majalis. 

The lily of the valley is a popular garden plant. It is a perennial plant that blooms in spring, grows well in shade, and is known for spreading quickly and being ideal for ground cover. The plant and flowers are toxic (if ingested) to both humans and many domestic animals.

The lily of the valley is the national flower of Finland. It is also the May birth flower (a flower that’s associated with a particular month in the same way as a birthstone). Bridal bouquets featuring lilies of the valley are popular. It is said to represent virtue, faithfulness, and sweetness. It is also associated with Christian symbolism and is sometimes called Our Lady’s Tears or Mary’s tears, in reference to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Example: I love a beautiful bouquet of lilies of the valley.

Where does lily of the valley come from?

The first records of the term lily of the valley come from the mid-1500s. Despite its name, the lily of the valley is not considered a true lily, though it is part of the lily family. It likely gets its name because its bell-shaped flowers resemble true lilies.

The plant is native to a broad range in the Northern Hemisphere, including parts of Europe, Asia, and North America.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to lily of the valley?

  • lily-of-the-valley (alternate hyphenated spelling)
  • lilies of the valley (plural)

What are some words that share a root or word element with lily of the valley

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing lily of the valley?

How is lily of the valley used in real life?

The lily of the valley is popular for flower gardens. It’s known for its pleasant scent.

 

Try using lily of the valley!

True or False? 

The lily of the valley is poisonous when ingested.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


lily-of-the-Nilelily pad