: 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
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The wholly distinctive fragrance wraps a bouquet of African flowers (powdery violet, musky marigold, and fresh, green cyclamen) in a burst of bergamot.—Jenny Berg, Allure, 6 July 2025 Starbucks says each drink is visually intended to channel the winter months with colors like deep violet and red.—Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 The finer examples have a taste of strawberry and an aroma of violets.—John Mariani, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 Its black-fruit and violet aromas, flavors of purple plum, cassis, and candied violet, and gorgeous polished tannins make for a beautiful pour.—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for violet
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
: 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
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