Definition

Noun: 1. An evergreen Asian tree (Cananga odorata) with fragrant, greenish-yellow flowers: This tree is cultivated in tropical regions both for ornamental purposes and for the extraction of a volatile oil from its flowers. 2. The essential oil distilled from the flowers of the ilang-ilang tree: This oil is a key ingredient in many perfumes due to its rich, sweet, and floral scent.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Tree):
  • The ilang-ilang in our garden has grown very tall.
  • They planted an ilang-ilang for its beautiful and fragrant flowers.
• Noun (Oil):
  • This perfume contains a high concentration of ilang-ilang.
  • The scent of ilang-ilang is often described as exotic and heady.

Advanced Usage

• The term "ilang-ilang" is often used attributively to describe products or scents derived from the tree or its oil.
  • She prefers ilang-ilang soap for its natural fragrance.

Variants and Related Words

• Ylang-ylang: This is a common alternative spelling for ilang-ilang. Both terms refer to the same tree and its products.
  • Ylang-ylang essential oil is popular in aromatherapy.

Synonyms

• Cananga: This is the botanical genus name for the ilang-ilang tree (). It is a more scientific synonym.
• Perfume tree: A descriptive common name referencing the tree's primary use.

Noun

1. evergreen Asian tree with aromatic greenish-yellow flowers yielding a volatile oil; widely grown in the tropics as an ornamental
2. oil distilled from flowers of the ilang-ilang tree; used in perfumery