violet

noun

vi·​o·​let ˈvī-(ə-)lət 

1

a

: any of a genus (Viola of the family Violaceae, the violet family) of chiefly herbs with alternate stipulate leaves and showy flowers in spring and often cleistogamous flowers in summer

especially : one with smaller usually solid-colored flowers as distinguished from the usually larger-flowered violas and pansies

b

: any of several plants of genera other than that of the violet compare dogtooth violet

2

: any of a group of colors of reddish-blue hue, low lightness, and medium saturation

Illustration of violet

• violet 1a

Examples of violet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Type: Mist Scent Family: Fresh florals Notes: Juicy pear, pink violet, white cedarwood Size: 3.04 oz. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 11 Feb. 2025

Dog violets can grow in sunny locations along the coast but will need some shade inland. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 1 Feb. 2025

In colorful hues like pink, violet, and red, crepe myrtles are a favorite of gardeners looking for a low maintenance flowering tree. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 2025

The first spritz of You Doux opens with sweet violet, followed by a precious blend of woody palo santo and smoky myrrh. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, from viole "the violet flower" (going back to Latin viola "any of various spring flowers, as Viola odorata," derivative of a base vi- of Mediterranean substratal origin, as also Greek íon "the color violet") + -et -et entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing violet

• African violet
• bird's-foot violet
• crystal violet
• dogtooth violet
• gentian violet
• shrinking violet

Kids Definition

violet

noun

vi·​o·​let ˈvī-ə-lət 

1

a

: any of a genus of mostly herbs that often produce showy fragrant flowers in the spring and small closed self-pollinated flowers without petals in the summer

b

: any of several plants of other genera compare dogtooth violet

2

: a reddish blue