How to pronounce lilac
Say it like LY-lak. Lilac has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lilac. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LY
- lak
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lilac pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- lakGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of lilac
American and British speakers say lilac in essentially the same way: /ˈlaɪˌlæk/ in the US and /ˈlaɪlək/ in the UK.
British respelling: LY-luk.
What does lilac mean?
- A large shrub of the genus Syringa, especially Syringa vulgaris, bearing white, pale-pink, or purple flowers.
- A flower of the lilac shrub.
- A pale purple color, the color of some lilac flowers.
- Having a pale purple color.
- Of a cat or its fur: having a pale brown color, lighter than chocolate.
Questions about saying lilac
How do you pronounce lilac?
Say LY-lak. The American pronunciation is /ˈlaɪˌlæk/. In British English it is /ˈlaɪlək/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lilac?
Lilac has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LY). Broken into parts: LY · lak.
Do Americans and Brits say lilac the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlaɪˌlæk/ and the British form is /ˈlaɪlək/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.