mauve

1 of 2

noun

ˈmȯv 

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

Noun

At Interwoven, Moore & Giles introduced a range of new colors in its Mont Blanc carbon-neutral line, including on-trend pink and mauve, as well as classic neutrals and earthy greens and blues. —Jennifer Bringle, WWD, 12 Dec. 2024

Lively wore her blond tresses in a side part, while her makeup consisted of glittery rose gold eye shadow, rosy blush and a glossy mauve lip. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 12 Dec. 2024

Adjective

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

Her makeup was kept equally classic, with fluttery eyelashes, bold brows and a mauve lip color acting as key elements to the look. —Elizabeth Grace Coyne, WWD, 28 June 2024

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

Kids Definition

mauve

noun

ˈmōv  ˈmȯv 

: a medium purple, violet, or lilac