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
Johnson wore her trademark bangs and her brunette hair long and straight, accessorizing with simple drop earrings and a rectangular, black Valentino clutch bag. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025 The royal pulled her long brunette hair back into a ponytail, completing the look with a dark smokey eye and glowy skin. Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2025 Her signature brunette curls cascade over a cozy gray hoodie as morning light peeks through the window. Ellise Shafer, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025 The Princess of Wales returned to her brunette locks pretty soon after. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 19 Oct. 2025 Stewart stepped out with choppy baby bangs and wavy, shoulder-length hair in her natural shade of brunette that harkens back to her Twilight days. Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025 The brunette, Sheen revealed, was Fox. Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025 The trail leads Riley to believe a pretty brunette of Maroun’s build, wearing a hoodie, committed the crime. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 25 Sep. 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 29 Oct. 2025.

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