mauve

1 of 2

noun

ˈmȯv How to pronounce mauve (audio)
ˈmōv
1
a
: a moderate purple, violet, or lilac color
b
: a strong purple
2
: a dyestuff (see dye entry 1 sense 2) that produces a mauve color

mauve

2 of 2

adjective

: of the color mauve : of a moderate purple, violet, or lilac color
White china vases of mauve hyacinths scented the table …Hamish Bowles

Examples of mauve 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.
Noun
The on-sale boots are available in mauve, black, or cream, and sizes 5 through 11. Ali Faccenda, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2025 This muted palette comes with matte and metallic shadows in shades like baby pink, mint green, and rosy mauve. Loren Savini, Allure, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Her hair was styled in a sleek chignon by Rena Calhoun, while her makeup featured sparkly eye shadow and a mauve lip courtesy of artist Melissa Hernandez. Julia Teti, WWD, 12 Feb. 2025 Blair wore her blond bob with subtle curtain bangs, while her makeup consisted of mauve blush and a matching glossy lip. Hannah Malach, WWD, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mauve 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, literally, mallow, from Old French, from Latin malva

First Known Use

Noun

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mauve was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near mauve

Cite this Entry

“Mauve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mauve. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

mauve

noun
: a medium purple, violet, or lilac

More from Merriam-Webster on mauve

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