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
The Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami alum left her long hair down after going from a blonde to a brunette just last week. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024 Romain Marietti imagined this soft ash blond long wavy wig for Karla, moving away from a brunette aesthetic. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 Nov. 2024 Even amid the gyrating, straddling, and grinding, the most eye-popping detail may very well be the titular protagonist’s luscious brunette lengths shimmering with pink and purple tinsel. Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024 Meester's previous post-GG foray into television, Single Parents, was underrated and fun, but frankly, her part could have been played by any brunette with an improv background. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 4 Oct. 2024 The singer's array of brunette looks comes after a stint as a platinum blonde earlier this year. Catherine Santino, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024 The actress paired the dress with simple black high-heels and minimal makeup and jewelry, and wore her brunette hair in a short bob. Lori A Bashian Fox News, Fox News, 26 Oct. 2024 The Most Epic Kardashian-Jenner Halloween Costumes Ever Kylie, meanwhile, had styled her long brunette hair in curls and wore a green leather jacket with a matching skirt, similar to what Isabella wore during the scene. Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024 An upcoming Sotheby’s auction will feature a rare portrait from a surprising new artist: a robot named Ai-Da, who creates paintings while sporting a chic brunette bob and overalls. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024
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

Dictionary Entries Near brunette

Cite this Entry

“Brunette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brunette. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

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