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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The fleur-de-lis has long been associated with the French royalty, its origins going back almost 1,000 years. Ben Morse, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025 In the contemporary United States, the fleur-de-lis has a less divine presence when Saints players tackle other teams’ players—but that has legal significance, the judges note. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2025

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fleur-de-lis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fleur-de-lis. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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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