Ylang-ylang Definition & Meaning

American

British

Etymology

Examples

ylang-ylang American [ee-lahng-ee-lahng] / ˈi lɑŋˈi lɑŋ / Or ilang-ilang

noun

1. an aromatic tree, Cananga odorata, of the annona family, native to the Philippines, Java, etc., having fragrant, drooping flowers that yield a volatile oil used in perfumery.

2. the oil or perfume.

ylang-ylang British / ˌiːlæŋˈiːlæŋ /

noun

1. an aromatic Asian tree, Cananga odorata (or Canangium odoratum ), with fragrant greenish-yellow flowers yielding a volatile oil: family Annonaceae

2. the oil obtained from this tree, used in perfumery

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of ylang-ylang

First recorded in 1875–80, ylang-ylang is from the Tagalog word ilang-ilang

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At certain times, the Mounts’ pale yellow ylang-ylang, a flowering tree from the Philippines, spritzes the air with a powerful scent that has made Chanel No. 5 a favorite of generations of women.

From New York Times

Simply named “Whitney,” the scent features notes of pear and citrus, balanced by gardenia, ylang-ylang and jasmine.

From Seattle Times

It also carries aloe water, Nigerian hibiscus flower, rose oil and ylang-ylang oil to help hydrate the skin.

From Los Angeles Times

In 1993, a perfume by Bijan was named DNA and included geranium, rosemary, ylang-ylang, mint and bergamot as its top notes.

From Salon

Unlike ylang-ylang or vetiver, two other frequently used botanicals, “you hear ‘lavender’ and a visual comes to mind,” she added.

From Seattle Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.