periwinkle

1 of 2

noun (1)

per·​i·​win·​kle ˈper-i-ˌwiŋ-kəl How to pronounce periwinkle (audio)
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
2
: a light purplish blue

called also periwinkle blue

periwinkle

2 of 2

noun (2)

: 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

Illustration of periwinkle

Illustration of periwinkle
  • periwinkle a

Examples of periwinkle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
From purple-tinged periwinkle to vivid true blue, the monochromatic layering adds dimension but keeps the overall feeling calm. Sandra S. Soria, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2024 Across from the sparkling Susquehanna River, there was a row of Democratic lawn signs: Malcolm Kenyatta for auditor general, Bob Casey for U.S. Senate, and, most important, in white letters atop a periwinkle not unlike that of the sky, Kamala Harris for President. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024 In addition to the periwinkle blue like Garner wore, the top comes in 13 colors like red, camel, and black. Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024 This purple, periwinkle, and metallic rose bundle makes for a perfectly wintery, always creamy, and blendable eye look. Annie Blackman, Allure, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for periwinkle 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English perwinke, from Old English perwince, from Vulgar Latin *pervinca, short for Latin vincapervinca

Noun (2)

Middle English *periwinkle, alteration of Old English pīnewincle, from Latin pina, a kind of mussel (from Greek) + Old English -wincle (akin to Danish vincle snail shell)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of periwinkle was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near periwinkle

Cite this Entry

“Periwinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periwinkle. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

periwinkle

1 of 2 noun
per·​i·​win·​kle ˈper-i-ˌwiŋ-kəl How to pronounce periwinkle (audio)
: an evergreen herb that spreads along the ground and has shiny leaves and blue or white flowers

periwinkle

2 of 2 noun
1
: 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 How to pronounce periwinkle (audio)
: any of several trailing or woody evergreen plants of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae)
especially : rosy periwinkle

More from Merriam-Webster on periwinkle

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