Illustration of periwinkle
- periwinkle a
per·i·win·kle
ˈper-i-ˌwiŋ-kəl 
1
: any of several trailing or woody evergreen herbs of the dogbane family: such as
a(1)
: a European creeper (Vinca minor) widely cultivated as a ground cover and for its blue or white flowers
called also myrtle
(2)
: a trailing plant (Vinca major) with large blue flowers that is used as a ground cover and in window boxes
b
2
: a light purplish blue
called also periwinkle blue
: any of various gastropod mollusks: such as
a
: any of a genus (Littorina) of edible littoral marine snails
also
: any of various similar or related marine snails
b
: any of several North American freshwater snails
Examples of periwinkle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ali Faccenda, People.com, 4 July 2025
There were satin boxing boots in hot pink and periwinkle.
—Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025
Blue hues ranging from cobalt to periwinkle flow through the home, while touches of gray continues the soothing palette.
—Shannon Sharpe, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2025
Its tiny blossoms are a unique blend of blue, purple, and gray—the intensity of which are captured in a range of periwinkle nail polish shades this season.
—Alice Nardiotti, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for periwinkle
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Noun
Snag it in three colors: soft olive, soft periwinkle, and summer sand.
—Ali Faccenda, People.com, 4 July 2025
There were satin boxing boots in hot pink and periwinkle.
—Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025
Blue hues ranging from cobalt to periwinkle flow through the home, while touches of gray continues the soothing palette.
—Shannon Sharpe, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2025
Its tiny blossoms are a unique blend of blue, purple, and gray—the intensity of which are captured in a range of periwinkle nail polish shades this season.
—Alice Nardiotti, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for periwinkle
Cite this Entry
“Periwinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periwinkle. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
periwinkle
1 of 2 noun
per·i·win·kle
ˈper-i-ˌwiŋ-kəl
: an evergreen herb that spreads along the ground and has shiny leaves and blue or white flowers
periwinkle
2 of 2 noun1
: any of various small edible marine snails of coastal regions
2
: the shell of a periwinkle
Etymology
Noun
Old English perwince "periwinkle vine," from Latin pervinca (same meaning)
Noun
Old English pinewincle "an edible sea snail"
Medical Definition
periwinkle
noun
per·i·win·kle
ˈper-i-ˌwiŋ-kəl
: any of several trailing or woody evergreen plants of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae)
especially
: rosy periwinkle
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