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
On their podcast, the couple discussed Julie being photographed in Nashville with her brunette hair and graying roots after being released. Catherine Santino, People.com, 31 July 2025 Veronica, a brunette, is often photographed alongside a furry German shepherd. Mickey Rapkin, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 2025 Roberts, famously a blond and a fleeting brunette, switched it up and tinged her mane with amber hues, twisting it in a bun in the back of her head. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 30 June 2025 Eileen Schick, a tall brunette in her forties, had been a nurse at one time but stopped working when multiple sclerosis made her job impossible. Lisa Pratta june 12, Literary Hub, 12 June 2025 At the time, Carrie wore her blonde hair past her shoulders, perpetually in a middle part; Charlotte always side-parted her medium-length brunette hair; redheaded Miranda was a bixie cut devotee. Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, 29 May 2025 In recent appearances, she’s been back to wearing her dark brunette long and one-length, in loose relaxed waves or in a bouncy blowout. Lorena Meouchi, Vogue, 17 July 2025 Shimmery colors such as pinks, taupes or browns complement brunettes in addition to plum and burgundy. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025 Yet another request to see Juliet’s face was answered with a more realistic image of a brunette woman, her face streaked with blood. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
Adjective
Storie, who is brunette, looks just like her father, while Aspen has blonde hair that takes after her mom. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024 The picture shows Prince William in a car next to a brunette woman, with her ear and a bit of cheek visible. Constance Grady, Vox, 6 June 2024 On the other hand the Kale of Finland looked to be brunette Europeans. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 19 Sep. 2010 This combo of smoky, brunette, and purple hues is so cool. Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2023 Barbie’s boyfriend typically has a golden or brunette head of hair, but the platinum blonde was specifically chosen for this cinematic version of Ken for a few reasons. Kirbie Johnson, Allure, 28 July 2023 Cyrus was last photographed at an event in Beverly Hills on April 23 though, newly brunette: Stefanie Keenan//Getty Images Despite Cyrus not walking the carpet, 2023 has been one of her biggest years in her career. Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 2 May 2023 Vallée, barely 24, with a helmet of brunet hair, would serve as Hynek’s unofficial aide-de-camp. Chantel Tattoli, Wired, 18 Feb. 2022 Think of a brunet soap hunk smouldering in a vertical stripe, which partially covers a bottle of frothing champagne. Laurence Scott, Wired, 11 Oct. 2020

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

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Cite this Entry

“Brunette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brunette. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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