checkered lily: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Botanical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “checkered lily” mean?
A perennial flowering plant of the genus Fritillaria, characterized by nodding, bell-shaped flowers with a distinctive checkerboard pattern of dark and light squares.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A perennial flowering plant of the genus Fritillaria, characterized by nodding, bell-shaped flowers with a distinctive checkerboard pattern of dark and light squares.
A metaphor for something marked by alternating periods of good and bad fortune, or a pattern of contrasting elements, derived from the flower's appearance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'checkered' is American; the British equivalent is 'chequered'. The term is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
The botanical term is neutral. The metaphorical use ('a checkered/chequered past') is more common than the plant name itself and carries a negative connotation of a dubious history.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency as a plant name. The adjectival form 'checkered/chequered' is far more common.
Grammar
How to Use “checkered lily” in a Sentence
The [checkered lily] grows in [damp meadows].The [checkered lily] is known for its [distinctive pattern].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “checkered lily” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The garden featured several chequered lily bulbs.
American English
- We planted some checkered lily bulbs along the path.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in botanical texts and horticulture.
Everyday
Virtually unused in everyday conversation except by gardeners.
Technical
A specific common name for Fritillaria meleagris in horticulture and taxonomy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “checkered lily”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “checkered lily”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “checkered lily”
- Confusing it with the more common phrase 'checkered flag'.
- Using it as a common noun for any patterned lily.
- Misspelling as 'checkered lilly'.
- Assuming it is a type of true lily (Lilium).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a member of the Lilium genus. It belongs to the genus Fritillaria in the lily family (Liliaceae).
They are native to parts of Europe and are typically found in damp meadows and grasslands.
Not directly. You would use the adjective 'checkered' (or 'chequered' in UK English) on its own, as in 'a checkered past'. The phrase 'checkered lily' itself is not an idiom.
It is named for the striking checkerboard pattern of dark and light squares on its bell-shaped flowers.
A perennial flowering plant of the genus Fritillaria, characterized by nodding, bell-shaped flowers with a distinctive checkerboard pattern of dark and light squares.
Checkered lily is usually formal, botanical, literary in register.
Checkered lily: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɛkəd ˈlɪli/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɛkɚd ˈlɪli/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A checkered past/history/career (derived from the pattern, not directly from the plant name).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a chessboard growing in a garden, with each square blooming into a delicate, nodding lily.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A PATTERN (specifically, a checkered one, implying alternating phases).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common synonym for 'checkered lily' in gardening?