ENGLISH
REFERENCE

lila

adj.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈɫiɫə// lila
Definition

adj. having a pale purple color. It is the color of the flowers on a lilac bush.

adj. of a pale violet or light purple color, resembling the flowers of the lilac plant.


SIMPLE

She wore a beautiful lila dress to the party.

CONTEXTUAL

The walls of the nursery were painted a soft lila to create a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

COMPLEX

The sunset painted the horizon in shades of lila and gold, casting a gentle glow over the quiet valley as the day came to an end.

Usage

Commonly used in European English contexts; in American English, 'lilac' is the standard spelling for both the flower and the color.

Pitfall

a lila flowera lilac flowerWhile 'lila' is used for the color in many languages and some English dialects, 'lilac' is the standard name for the plant itself.

Last updated May 9, 2026