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
Wearing her blonde hair in an updo, her makeup consisted of strokes of glittery eyeshadow, coral blush, and a rosy-mauve lip. Hannah Malach, InStyle, 22 May 2026 Offered in seven modern shades—from soft blush tones to rich mauves—the precision pencil lays down smooth, natural-looking color with impressive staying power. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 22 May 2026
Adjective
Madison paired the metallic pumps with a mauve Galliano-era Dior minidress — a fitting choice, considering she was named a global ambassador for the house in September. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 16 Dec. 2025 Her hair was styled in a sleek chignon by Rena Calhoun, while her makeup featured sparkly eye shadow and a mauve lip courtesy of artist Melissa Hernandez. Julia Teti, WWD, 12 Feb. 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Mauve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mauve. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

mauve

noun
: a medium purple, violet, or lilac

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