: a dark red

Examples of puce in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
No Paris trip is complete without a visit to les puces. Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026 But this week, at least, the most reliable method for inducing puce-faced rage in the Brussels diplomatic corps has been to utter the word Spitzenkandidaten. The Economist, 22 Feb. 2018 Tired of painting test areas of a wall with endless shades of puce? Jay Samit, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2017

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, flea, from Old French pulce, from Latin pulic-, pulex — more at psylla

First Known Use

1781, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of puce was in 1781

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Puce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puce. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on puce

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!