Meaning & use

fleur-de-lis

noun·Advanced

A stylized image of a lily or iris with three petals, traditionally used as a symbol of French royalty.

See it in a sentence

The fleur-de-lis appears on the flag of Quebec and in many French coats of arms.

New Orleans uses the fleur-de-lis as a civic emblem, reflecting its French colonial history.

A note on using this word

The fleur-de-lis is a heraldic symbol rather than an actual flower; it appears widely in flags, crests, and decorative art.

Words with a similar meaning

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