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

Aaryn Washington returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown and Cory Lavender had another interception along with a forced fumble.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Many of the native plants are in their summer dormancy now, but the garden is still a quilt of greens in every shade, along with native roses and non-natives like lavender and lion’s tail for splashes of color.

From Los Angeles Times

They had performed together on numerous occasions, including in the 2004 drama Ladies in Lavender.

From BBC

Emergency services, including the air ambulance, were called to Wandsworth Road near the junction with Lavender Hill in Lambeth just after 04:00 BST to reports of a stabbing.

From BBC

Related Words

• lilac
• violet