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
: of the color mauve : of a moderate purple, violet, or lilac color
White china vases of mauve hyacinths scented the table …—
Hamish Bowles
Hamish BowlesExamples of mauve in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
Try reaching for lavender gray, dusty plum, or mauve instead.
—Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 7 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for mauve
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Noun
The shades du jour are meant to be much more flattering on your own natural lip color tone, such as rose pinks, dusty mauves (like the famed Pillow Talk), and rich berries.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
Try reaching for lavender gray, dusty plum, or mauve instead.
—Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 7 Mar. 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
See All Example Sentences for mauve
Cite this Entry
“Mauve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mauve. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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