What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
violet
Example
She wore a beautiful violet dress to the party. [violet: adjective]
Example
The garden was filled with violets in the spring. [violets: noun]
Example
He's a bit of a violet when it comes to socializing. [violet: noun]
lilac
Example
She painted her room a lovely lilac color. [lilac: adjective]
Example
The lilacs in the garden smelled wonderful. [lilacs: noun]
Example
The old photograph gave her a lilac feeling of nostalgia. [lilac: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Violet is more commonly used than lilac in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications beyond describing a specific type of flower. Lilac is less common but is still frequently used in the context of gardening or floral arrangements.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between violet and lilac?
Both violet and lilac are considered formal enough to be used in professional or academic writing, but violet is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts, making it slightly more informal than lilac.
