periwinkle

1 of 2

noun (1)

per·​i·​win·​kle ˈper-i-ˌwiŋ-kəl 

1

: any of several trailing or woody evergreen herbs of the dogbane family: such as

a(1)

: a European creeper (Vinca minor) widely cultivated as a ground cover and for its blue or white flowers

called also myrtle

(2)

: a trailing plant (Vinca major) with large blue flowers that is used as a ground cover and in window boxes

b

: rosy periwinkle

2

: a light purplish blue

called also periwinkle blue

periwinkle

2 of 2

noun (2)

: any of various gastropod mollusks: such as

a

: any of a genus (Littorina) of edible littoral marine snails

also : any of various similar or related marine snails

b

: any of several North American freshwater snails

Illustration of periwinkle

• periwinkle a

Examples of periwinkle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Buy it in either linen for a classic look or periwinkle for a touch of color. —Lauren Taylor, Southern Living, 17 Nov. 2023

While Hillary Clinton’s narrow 2016 loss there hinted at what was coming, Arizona, especially, seemed to flip from ruby red to periwinkle blue almost overnight, with Republicans managing to lose both U.S. Senate seats, the governorship, and the state’s Electoral College votes in just four years. —Kyle Paoletta, The New Republic, 30 Oct. 2023

The largest size is available in three velvet colors: dusty pink, periwinkle blue, and emerald green. —Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 27 Sep. 2023

For an evenings out in Paris, Selena Gomez opted for contrasting approaches, a generous dusting of shimmering periwinkle shadow worn one night, bare lids and a peach pout another. —Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2023

Monáe, who is currently on their The Age of Pleasure tour, hit the stage in Toronto on September 21 in a boldly blooming flower crown packed with voluptuous roses in shades of peach, periwinkle and yellow. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 22 Sep. 2023

This year's pick—a dynamic shade of periwinkle called Very Peri—is sure to be no exception. —Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023

Glamour and periwinkle: The 'Speak Now' era The stadium then features purple visual effects on all its screens as Swift walks toward center stage in a ballgown to sing one song from her 2010 studio album. —Ramon Padilla, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2023

The royal stepped out in a semi-sheer periwinkle dress with celestial motif at a reception in Dubai in 1989. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 30 Aug. 2022

See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English perwinke, from Old English perwince, from Vulgar Latin *pervinca, short for Latin vincapervinca

Noun (2)

Middle English *periwinkle, alteration of Old English pīnewincle, from Latin pina, a kind of mussel (from Greek) + Old English -wincle (akin to Danish vincle snail shell)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing periwinkle

• rosy periwinkle
• Madagascar periwinkle

• rosy periwinkle
• Madagascar periwinkle

Kids Definition

periwinkle

1 of 2 noun

per·​i·​win·​kle ˈper-i-ˌwiŋ-kəl 

: an evergreen herb that spreads along the ground and has shiny leaves and blue or white flowers

periwinkle

2 of 2 noun

1

: any of various small edible marine snails of coastal regions

2

: the shell of a periwinkle

Etymology

Noun

Old English perwince "periwinkle vine," from Latin pervinca (same meaning)

Noun

Old English pinewincle "an edible sea snail"

Medical Definition

periwinkle

noun

per·​i·​win·​kle ˈper-i-ˌwiŋ-kəl 

: any of several trailing or woody evergreen plants of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae)

especially : rosy periwinkle