# lavender

/ˈɫævəndɝ/ (US) · /lˈævəndɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lavender
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. the plant

noun · CEFR B1

a plant with small, pale purple flowers that has a very pleasant, relaxing smell.

For teachers: any of various aromatic shrubs of the genus Lavandula, widely cultivated for its flowers and essential oils.

- She planted lavender along the garden path to enjoy its scent in the summer.
- The hills of Provence are famous for their vast fields of lavender, which are harvested for the perfume and cosmetics industries.

### 2. the colour

noun · CEFR B1

a pale, soft purple colour.

For teachers: a pale bluish-purple colour, resembling the flowers of the lavender plant.

- The walls of the bedroom were painted a soft lavender.
- The sunset turned the sky a beautiful shade of lavender just before the stars appeared.

### 3. colour description

adjective · CEFR B1

having a pale purple colour.

For teachers: possessing a pale bluish-purple hue.

- He wore a lavender shirt that matched his tie perfectly.
- The bridesmaids wore lavender dresses that complemented the floral arrangements in the chapel.

### 4. LGBT context

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

related to the LGBT community or their history.

For teachers: pertaining to LGBT people, rights, or culture; often used in historical or political contexts.

- The city has a rich lavender history with many famous activists living there.
- The term 'lavender linguistics' refers to the study of language as used by LGBT speakers in various social settings.

### 5. film processing

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Archaic

a special type of film used to make copies of movies.

For teachers: a specific type of film stock used to create positive prints from negatives during the duplication process.

- The studio used a lavender to preserve the original quality of the film.
- Before digital restoration, technicians relied on the lavender print to ensure the contrast remained consistent during the duplication of classic cinema.

### 6. to perfume

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to make something smell like lavender.

For teachers: to perfume or scent an object or area with lavender.

- She liked to lavender her linens before putting them in the cupboard.
- The air in the boutique was gently lavendered, creating a calm atmosphere for the high-end clientele.

## Examples

- She keeps a small bag of dried lavender under her pillow.
- The garden was filled with the scent of lavender, attracting dozens of bees during the warm summer afternoon.
- The therapist recommended using lavender oil in the diffuser to create a calming atmosphere for patients struggling with chronic sleep disturbances.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.