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

The perennial vinca vine also has sweet periwinkle blooms that soften its invasive reputation. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026

Dressed in periwinkle, Annie took off her shoes in front of the sunflowers, sat down, squinted into the sunlight and smiled. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026

Also known as periwinkle, vinca (Vinca minor) has glossy, evergreen foliage and purple or white flowers in spring. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Feb. 2026

This pretty periwinkle is just enough for a subtle nod to Pisces. —Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026

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

• Madagascar periwinkle
• rosy periwinkle

Rhymes for periwinkle

• crinkle
• sprinkle
• tinkle
• twinkle
• winkle
• wrinkle

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