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

Word History and Origins

Origin of lily of the valley¹

First recorded in 1555–65

Example Sentences

Near him, just inside the wall, was a bed of lily-of-the-valley.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a bottle of rich perfume on my table, my favorite lily-of-the-valley, and I drew the long glass stopper across my lips.

From Project Gutenberg

For the scarf smelled of lily-of-the-valley, Aniuta Blagovo's favourite scent.

From Project Gutenberg

In the back part of your lily-of-the-valley bed plant two or three rows of the lovely poets' narcissus (poeticus).

From Project Gutenberg

Such things cannot thrive in a lily-of-the-valley world, but shrink away from the presence of beauty and purity.

From Project Gutenberg