brunette

1 of 2

noun

bru·​nette brü-ˈnet How to pronounce brunette (audio)
variants or less commonly brunet
: a person having brown hair
usually used of a woman or girl and usually spelled brunette in that use
when used of a man or boy usually spelled brunet

brunette

2 of 2

adjective

variants or less commonly brunet
: of a dark brown color
brunette hair
also : having brunette hair
a brunette woman
usually used of a woman or girl and usually spelled brunette in that use
when used of a man or boy usually spelled brunet

Examples of brunette in a Sentence

Adjective two of the kids were brunette like their mom
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
As for beauty, Lipa styled her brunette hair down and effortless with a middle part. Christina Perrier, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026 Milky brunette fits right in, as a subtle color upgrade that favors an easy grow-out. Grace McCarty, Glamour, 10 Mar. 2026 Pidgeon came in with a brunette bob, which, given the length of her natural hair, could be detected if left to inexperienced stylists. Kirbie Johnson, Allure, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Many also recalled Madix's brunette moment on Love Island earlier this year. Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French brunet, masculine, brunette, feminine, brownish, from Old French, from brun brown, from Medieval Latin brunus, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German brūn brown

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1539, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1709, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of brunette was circa 1539

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brunette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brunette. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

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