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water lily

noun

  1. any of various aquatic plants of the genus Nymphaea, species of which have large, disklike, floating leaves and showy flowers, especially N. odorata, of America, or N. alba, of Europe. Compare water lily family.
  2. any related plant of the genus Nuphar.
  3. a plant of the water lily family.
  4. the flower of any such plant.


water lily

noun

  1. any of various aquatic plants of the genus Nymphaea and related genera, of temperate and tropical regions, having large leaves and showy flowers that float on the surface of the water: family Nymphaeaceae
  2. any of various similar and related plants, such as the yellow water lily
“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


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Word History and Origins

Origin of water lily1

First recorded in 1540–50
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Example Sentences

The ponds were half covered with the white water-lily, and some other aquatic plants of the country.

I have read somewhere that it delights in eating the nymphœa, or water-lily.

This Clote leaf is by many considered to be the Burdock leaf, but it was more probably the name of the Water-lily.

But “Izibu”—meaning water-lily—Verna considered rather pretty and poetic, and did not discourage its use.

This they tied to their necks with some of the tough water-lily roots, and returned as quickly as they could to the turtle.

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More About Water Lily

What does water lily mean?

A water lily is a freshwater plant with floating leaves (known as lily pads) and a solitary flower.

The flower itself is also often called a water lily. They are fragrant and can be white, pink, or yellow.

The water lily family (Nymphaeaceae) includes many different species that are referred to as water lilies. The similar lotus is a member of the water lily family.

Water lilies are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants in garden ponds.

The water lily is one of the July birth flowers (a flower that’s associated with a particular month in the same way as a birthstone).

Example: I read that having water lilies in the pond will attract frogs.

Where does water lily come from?

The first records of the name water lily come from the mid-1500s. It’s so-named because it’s an aquatic (water) plant and its flower resembles the lily (though water lilies do not belong to the lily family).

Water lilies are native to the tropics. Although they appear to be floating, they are rooted into the mud underneath the water. Water lilies are thought to provide several benefits to their native environments, including preventing the overproduction of algae.

Did you know … ?

What are some synonyms for water lily?

  • lily pad (when referring to the whole plant)

What are some words that share a root or word element with water lily

What are some words that often get used in discussing water lily?

How is water lily used in real life?

Water lilies are common in garden ponds as well as in the wild. They’re floating leaves are called lily pads, a term which can also be used to refer to the entire plant.

Try using water lily!

True or False?

Water lilies just float in the water without being rooted down.

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