fleur-de-lis

noun

variants or less commonly fleur-de-lys
plural fleurs-de-lis or fleur-de-lis also fleurs-de-lys or fleur-de-lys ˌflər-də-ˈlē(z) How to pronounce fleur-de-lis (audio)
ˌflu̇r-
1
2
: a conventionalized iris in artistic design and heraldry

Illustration of fleur-de-lis

Illustration of fleur-de-lis
  • fleur-de-lis 2

Examples of fleur-de-lis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Andover Mills Kizer Hanging Porch Swing features a simple and elegant design but stands out for its striking fleur-de-lis shape on the seat back. Nor'adila Hepburn, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2024 At its head, wallpaper with a gray, black and white modified fleur-de-lis pattern balances out the room. Maria L. La Ganga, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 The Nordiques wore their politics on their sleeves, literally, putting the Quebec flag’s fleur-de-lis on their uniforms. Norimitsu Onishi, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2024 The truly maximalist interior style mixed a variety of colors and patterns, including intricate William Morris designs, traditional damasks and fleur-de-lis, vibrant jewel tones, and rich woods. Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Nov. 2023 The piece features festoon and fleur-de-lis patterns, and it can also be worn as a necklace. Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 18 Oct. 2023 Past the heavy wood front door is a fleur-de-lis crest embedded in the foyer’s marble floor, an indoor atrium that can be heated to temperatures high enough to grow tropical fruits and a library that consumes two levels of one of the turrets. Jeastman, oregonlive, 17 Aug. 2023 There are frescoes above stairways and a fleur-de-lis crest embedded in the foyer’s marble floor. Jeastman, oregonlive, 7 July 2023 Cibrian proposed with a 5-carat oval diamond set in rose gold fleur-de-lis connected to the band. Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 24 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fleur-de-lis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English flourdelis, from Anglo-French flur de lis, literally, lily flower

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fleur-de-lis was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near fleur-de-lis

Cite this Entry

“Fleur-de-lis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fleur-de-lis. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fleur-de-lis

noun
variants or fleur-de-lys
ˌflərd-ᵊl-ˈē,
ˌflu̇rd-
plural fleurs-de-lis or fleur-de-lis or fleurs-de-lys or fleur-de-lys
ˌflərd-ᵊl-ˈē(z),
ˌflu̇rd-
1
2
: a simple drawing of an iris used in art and heraldry
Etymology

Middle English flourdelis "fleur-de-lis," from early French flur de lis, literally, "flower of the lily"

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