ecru

1 of 2

noun

ˈe-(ˌ)krü  ˈā-(ˌ)krü 

: a pale or light grayish yellow or brown : beige sense 2

… the latest fashion dictate: Beige. From Calvin Klein to the Gap, fashion purveyors have flooded malls with ecru, khaki and cream …

—Teri Agins

ecru

2 of 2

adjective

: of the color ecru : of a color that is light grayish-yellowish brown : beige

ecru fabric

an ecru skirt

ecru walls

Examples of ecru in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The rest of the scheme layers neutral shades of gray, cream, and ecru. —Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2024

Of course, there are tons of white (and off-white, cream, ecru, and eggshell) sneaks on the market. —Sara Coughlin, SELF, 1 Aug. 2024

Adjective

Shop it in core colors black, ecru, cappuccino, dark olive, or stone. $248 at Cuyana Best hybrid shoulder bag This elegant bestseller from Banana Republic fits a ton. —Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2024

Shop it in core colors black, ecru, cappuccino, dark olive, or caramel (pictured). $248 at Cuyana Best water-resistant bag Made of lightweight, water-resistant fabric, this sporty crossbody from Fjällräven is a smart choice for travelers no matter what's on the agenda. —Kristi Kellogg, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French écru, literally, unbleached, raw, from Old French escru, from es- completely (from Latin ex-) + cru raw, from Latin crudus — more at raw

First Known Use

Noun

1836, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1869, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ecru

noun

ec·​ru

ˈek-rü,

ˈā-krü

: beige

ecru adjective