mauve

1 of 2

noun

ˈmȯv 

ˈmōv

1

a

: a moderate purple, violet, or lilac color

b

: a strong purple

2

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

mauve

2 of 2

adjective

: of the color mauve : of a moderate purple, violet, or lilac color

White china vases of mauve hyacinths scented the table …

—Hamish Bowles

Examples of mauve in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The scent wraps rose water, Damascena rose essence and absolute, and centifolia rose in soft, sweet notes of green almond, pink raspberry, and a touch of mauve violet. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026

Wearing her waist-length brunette tresses in a middle part, Woodley rounded out her glam with a barely-there makeup look consisting of dewy bronzer, mauve blush, and a matching shade of lip balm. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 12 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Madison paired the metallic pumps with a mauve Galliano-era Dior minidress — a fitting choice, considering she was named a global ambassador for the house in September. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 16 Dec. 2025

Her hair was styled in a sleek chignon by Rena Calhoun, while her makeup featured sparkly eye shadow and a mauve lip courtesy of artist Melissa Hernandez. — Julia Teti, WWD, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1833, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mauve

• salve
• sauve
• slav
• suave
• improv

Kids Definition

mauve

noun

ˈmōv  ˈmȯv 

: a medium purple, violet, or lilac