mauve

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noun \ ˈmȯv , ˈmōv \

Definition of mauve

1 a :a moderate purple, violet, or lilac color

b :a strong purple

2 :a dyestuff (see ¹dye 2) that produces a mauve color

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mauve

adjective

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Recent Examples of mauve from the Web

In truth, this setting was infinitely more romantic, with tables set against the original medieval rampart walls now washed with mauve light.

— hamish bowles, Vogue, "Belle of the Ball! In Venice and Paris, Vogue’s Hamish Bowles Embarks on an Art-Filled Excursion," 30 Aug. 2017
Moments earlier, a false dusk descended on the coast, the light fading from gray to mauve to an almost purple before a temporary night fell for just under two minutes.

— rosemarie stein, OregonLive.com, "Portland Metro Tuesday Weather: Mostly sunny and warm with wildfire smoke in the sky," 22 Aug. 2017
The mauve-brown shade is just subtle enough for a no-makeup, makeup day, but the shimmer helps give it an edge.

— devon abelman, Teen Vogue, "Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Eyeshadow Palette: Everything You Need to Know," 10 Aug. 2017
Golden oregano This golden yellow oregano, which sends up clusters of mauve flowers in summer, grows in low, creeping mounds and makes a striking edging for flower or vegetable beds or a ground cover.

— carol crotta, latimes.com, "No green thumb needed: 6 drought-tolerant herbs that are almost impossible to kill," 29 July 2017
Across the country, coral, red, rose, pink, and mauve were the top-sellers (sorry, purple.

— rachel nussbaum, Glamour, "These Are the Most Popular Drugstore Lipstick Shades Across America," 28 July 2017
Look for shades with a hint of mauve or shades of brown.

— jessica cruel, SELF, "The Best Nude Nail Polish Shades For Every Skin Tone," 10 July 2017
Lined chitons glimmer with alternating pinstripes of pink and mauve and pale blue.

— clark fair, Alaska Dispatch News, "Colorful kaleidoscope of marine life in Homer tidepools," 8 July 2017
The flakes stayed mauve, the milk stayed white, and the whole thing tasted like thick cups of dusty corn.

— adrienne rose johnson, Bon Appetit, "Here's Why You’re Seeing Purple Food Everywhere," 15 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mauve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of mauve

French, literally, mallow, from Old French, from Latin malva

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1859

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Other Color Terms

argentine, cerise, cerulean, cyan, ocher, perse, puce, taupe, vermilion

MAUVE Defined for English Language Learners

mauve

play

noun

Definition of mauve for English Language Learners

: a light or medium purple color

MAUVE Defined for Kids

mauve

play

noun \ ˈmōv , ˈmȯv \

Definition of mauve for Students

:a medium purple, violet, or lilac

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mauve

Definition of mauve

mauve

Recent Examples of mauve from the Web

Origin and Etymology of mauve

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mauve

Definition of mauve for English Language Learners

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mauve

Definition of mauve for Students

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