name
Uncommon
lil
lihl
Lil (name) means a shortened, affectionate form of Lilian, Lillian, or Lily. Example: “Grandma always called her granddaughter Lil.”
name
1
A shortened, affectionate form of Lilian, Lillian, or Lily.
"Grandma always called her granddaughter Lil."
noun
1
Slang shorthand for a book or booklet (dated/informal usage).
"He kept a little lil of notes in his coat pocket."
How to use lil
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually a nickname for Lilian/Lillian/Lily.
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Word forms
- Plural
- lils
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Grandma always called her granddaughter _____.
Etymology
A clipped, informal version of Lilian or Lillian.
Frequently asked questions
What does “lil” mean?
The word “lil” means a shortened, affectionate form of Lilian, Lillian, or Lily. In plain terms, usually a nickname for Lilian/Lillian/Lily.
How do you pronounce “lil”?
“Lil” is pronounced lihl (/lɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “lil” in a sentence?
Here is “lil” used in a sentence: “Grandma always called her granddaughter Lil.”
What part of speech is “lil”?
Depending on how it is used, “lil” can be a name and a noun.
Is “lil” a common word?
“Lil” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “lil” have?
“Lil” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a shortened, affectionate form of Lilian, Lillian, or Lily.
Is Lil short for Lilian or Lily?
Lil is a shortened, affectionate form that can stand for Lilian, Lillian, or Lily. Which full name it represents depends on the individual person it refers to.
Is Lil used as a boy's or a girl's name?
As a nickname for Lilian, Lillian, or Lily, Lil is used as a feminine given name. It affectionately shortens these traditionally female names.
When should Lil be written with a capital L?
As a shortened form of a name such as Lily or Lilian, Lil is a proper noun and normally takes a capital L. It appears in lowercase only in informal or stylized writing where names are deliberately not capitalized.
