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
Smoky, sultry, and surprising, deep mauves and mocha browns have come to the forefront lately, with both Hailey Bieber and Gigi Hadid signing off on the trend. Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025 Meanwhile, Andrea Taylor, owner of Andrea Marino Design in Dallas, Texas, has noticed an uptick in mauve, dusty blue, and butter yellow fabrics. Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 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

Cite this Entry

“Mauve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mauve. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

mauve

noun
: a medium purple, violet, or lilac

More from Merriam-Webster on mauve

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