Definition of violet
1a : 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 pansiesb : 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
Explore M-W
Recent Examples of violet from the Web
-
Mr. El Moussa and Ms. El Moussa, who remain friendly, aren’t shrinking violets.
-
The forest floor was alive with bursts of wildflowers: purple wild geraniums and violet shooting stars and red trilliums.
-
Roses are red, violets are blue, America is full of racists, what else is new?
-
Gautreaux said St. Germain, bathed in violet light, first appeared on Mount Shasta in 1933 to Guy Ballard, an engineer who started the I AM movement.
-
My home's ultra-violet water purifier gives off a steady buzzing noise.
-
From a high-elevation site not eight miles from the ocean, Drew’s Perli Vineyard Syrah leads with scents of wood smoke and tincture of lavender, which with air becomes ethereally floral, like violets.
-
Red is the longest wavelength in the visible spectrum (and blue-violet is the shortest visible wavelength).
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'violet'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illustration of violet
Origin and Etymology of violet
Middle English, from Anglo-French violete, diminutive of viole violet, from Latin viola
First Known Use: 14th century
VIOLET Defined for English Language Learners
violet
playDefinition of violet for English Language Learners
-
: a plant that has small bluish-purple or white flowers
-
: a bluish-purple color
VIOLET Defined for Kids
violet
playDefinition of violet for Students
1 : a wild or garden plant related to the pansies that has small often fragrant white, blue, purple, or yellow flowers
2 : a bluish purple
Learn More about violet
-
See words that rhyme with violet Spanish Central: Translation of violet Nglish: Translation of violet for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of violet for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about violet
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up violet? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!