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

By twenty-six, Sam was fully formed—auburn hair, a mustache, and a wardrobe permanently under siege from smoke, whiskey, and the grime of vagabond living. —Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025

Beach is described as a white female with auburn hair and brown eyes. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 2 May 2025

Noun

Patrons roam the halls in his signature anti-blue-light glasses, the auburn lenses making their eyes look like flies, trapped timelessly in amber. —Peter Rubin, Longreads, 26 June 2025

In 2023, the star hopped on the Ariel hair trend and dyed her hair a glossy, deep auburn ahead of fall. —Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 9 May 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