auburn

1 of 2

adjective

au·​burn ˈȯ-bərn 

1

: of the color auburn

2

: of a reddish-brown color

auburn

2 of 2

noun

: a moderate brown

Examples of auburn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The post included a photo featuring her wearing a red hard hat with her auburn curls flowing down her shoulders. —Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2025

Less than a month after showing up to the SAG awards with fresh auburn locks, the 38-year-old actor revealed an unexpected hair transformation at the Elie Saab runway show on March 8. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 8 Mar. 2025

Noun

Hair can be curly, straight, thick, thin, brown, black, blonde, or auburn. —Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2025

As for her glam, the actress’ look included her auburn ‘do styled with soft, natural waves and a middle part. —Julia Teti, WWD, 10 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English auborne blond, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin alburnus whitish, from Latin alburnum sapwood

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1613, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

auburn

adjective

au·​burn

ˈȯ-bərn

: of a reddish brown color

auburn hair

Geographical Definition

Auburn

geographical name

Au·​burn ˈȯ-bərn 

1

city in eastern Alabama population 53,380

Note: Auburn University is located in Auburn, Alabama.

2

city on the Androscoggin River in southwestern Maine population 23,055

3

city in central New York population 27,687

4

city east-northeast of Tacoma in western Washington population 70,180