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

Joe’s is seeing strong momentum behind warm ecru and crisp bright white this summer, as shoppers gravitate toward lighter denim styles in place of traditional heavyweight indigo jeans. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 29 July 2026

These work wonderfully with ecru, chocolate, off-white, or navy blue garments. — Alex Sales, Glamour, 14 July 2026

Adjective

The trend intelligence platform said mentions of dusty rose, ecru and gray denim are climbing among key influencers. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 29 July 2026

Lhuillier also added a removable shawl accented with ecru French lace to the design, giving the gown an asymmetrical neckline and a dramatic train. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 26 July 2026

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