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
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 Her makeup look featured flushed cheeks and a glossy mauve lip. Catherine Santino, People.com, 11 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 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

Dictionary Entries Near mauve

Cite this Entry

“Mauve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mauve. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

mauve

noun
: a medium purple, violet, or lilac

More from Merriam-Webster on mauve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!