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

The four solid colorways include a muted red rhubarb with amber undertones, a plummy violet, a deep caramel shade named after the Woodstock Festival, and an olive green. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 12 Aug. 2025

Grumpy helps a reader with a lawn covered in African violets. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025

The wine color is a dark shimmering ruby with a nose of fresh plums, cassis, violets and a hint of complex herbs. —Liz Thach, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025

Meanwhile, the choir stalls were covered in roses, lilies, and alpine violets. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 7 July 2025

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
• crystal violet
• dogtooth violet
• gentian violet
• shrinking violet

Rhymes for violet

• inviolate
• ultraviolet

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