Skip to main content
glory lily

glory lily

9.9
A climbing tropical plant with bright red or yellow flowers that is poisonous
  • noun
translation icon : lirio de gloria
  • The gardener warned that all parts of the glory lily are highly poisonous if ingested.

Examples

  • Some cultures use extracts from the glory lily in traditional medicine, despite its toxic properties.

  • A single glory lily brightened the corner of the conservatory with its striking red petals.

  • The glory lily blooms beautifully in the summer.

  • I saw a stunning glory lily in the botanical garden.

  • A single glory lily brightened the corner of the conservatory with its striking red petals.

  • Some cultures use extracts from the glory lily in traditional medicine, despite its toxic properties.

  • The gardener warned that all parts of the glory lily are highly poisonous if ingested.

Synonyms

Gloriosa superba
vsglory lily
  • Specialized
9.9

A climbing plant with bright red, yellow, or purple flowers and poisonous parts

is the general common name for the genus rather than one species
gloriosa
vsglory lily
  • Indian
9.9

A climbing plant with bright red and yellow flowers that has poisonous parts

is the common name used in everyday language rather than technical term
climbing lily
vsglory lily
  • UK
9.1

A climbing plant with tendrils at its leaf tips and bright red, yellow, or purple flowers that is poisonous

is the broader genus name without focus on the leaf tendrils
creeping lily
vsglory lily
  • Indian
9.2

A climbing plant with bright red, yellow, or purple flowers that is poisonous

is the climbing form that may grow upward rather than stay low

Surface Forms

glory lily singular
glory lilies plural

Morphology

glory + lily

The noun combines 'glory' (splendid, showy) with 'lily' (ornamental flower), so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer it refers to a lily notable for its beautiful, showy appearance. Specific botanical details (climbing habit, genus name, toxicity) are not predictable from the parts, but the core referent as a conspicuously attractive flower is transparently derived from the constituents.

Etymology

The plant glory lily may come from the flower's showy, curved petals that look like a bright crown or glory, plus its lily-like shape. That's why glory lily now means 'a striking tropical climbing plant', and all parts are poisonous.