violet

noun

vi·​o·​let ˈvī-(ə-)lət 

1

a

: any of a genus (Viola of the family Violaceae, the violet family) of chiefly herbs with alternate stipulate leaves and showy flowers in spring and often cleistogamous flowers in summer

especially : one with smaller usually solid-colored flowers as distinguished from the usually larger-flowered violas and pansies

b

: any of several plants of genera other than that of the violet compare dogtooth violet

2

: any of a group of colors of reddish-blue hue, low lightness, and medium saturation

Illustration of violet

• violet 1a

Examples of violet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its spicy, woody fragrance profile includes an eclectic mix of juniper berries, saffron, and violet. —Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 26 Nov. 2023

Bright colors combinations like wine/blue violet and mezcal/sunset are irresistible – but there’s even more to love about this packable jacket than style alone. —Joel Balsam, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2023

This unique scent from Byredo, which combines notes like bergamot, lemon, violet, and tobacco, fits the bill exactly. —Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 13 Nov. 2023

The violet, ivory, and army green colors are currently $47, marked down from $59. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 12 Nov. 2023

Learn More › The rising sun sent shards of orange, violet, and red pastel light across the eastern sky on a morning muzzleloader deer hunt in the Sandhills of Nebraska. —Brad Fenson, Outdoor Life, 1 Nov. 2023

Next to his portrait were candles, incense, violet, and gold flowers. —Kyle Dillon Hertz, Men's Health, 29 Aug. 2023

The pattern of pansies, violets, and ranunculus created a dense bouquet of purples, pinks, yellows, and whites across her bust and waist, and slowly dissipated closer to the dress’s clean white hemline. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2023

Humans perceive different types of light as colors: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. —Kate Larue, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, from viole "the violet flower" (going back to Latin viola "any of various spring flowers, as Viola odorata," derivative of a base vi- of Mediterranean substratal origin, as also Greek íon "the color violet") + -et -et entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing violet

• African violet
• bird's-foot violet
• shrinking violet
• crystal violet
• dogtooth violet
• gentian violet

• African violet
• bird's-foot violet
• shrinking violet
• crystal violet
• dogtooth violet
• gentian violet

Kids Definition

violet

noun

vi·​o·​let ˈvī-ə-lət 

1

a

: any of a genus of mostly herbs that often produce showy fragrant flowers in the spring and small closed self-pollinated flowers without petals in the summer

b

: any of several plants of other genera compare dogtooth violet

2

: a reddish blue