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
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Recent Examples of violet from the Web
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The blueberry soufflé is punctured with a spoonful of violet ice cream.
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The Lady is less a wilting violet who learns to bloom than, as the title implies, a cunning murderess.
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In the books, the Targaryens are these white, white people with silver hair and violet eyes.
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Come at the city by boat, off the deep blue of the Gulf Stream and into the robin’s-egg and violet waters of the port, and a spell – part intrigue, part eyeful – is spontaneously cast.
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It is well stocked with various pitcher plants, bog orchids, violets, gentians, sundews and flytraps.
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Purple plants and flowers on display with a collection of modern and abstract sculpture pieces all created in shades of violet, lavender and purple.
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With a surface area of 83,994 ha and a population of 184,253, this biosphere reserve is home to endemic species such as the Usambara eagle owl, the Usambara weaver and the African violet.
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The layers of violet rising from its crown make clear its volatile energy.
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
VIOLET Defined for English Language Learners
violet
playDefinition of violet for English Language Learners
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: a plant that has small bluish-purple or white flowers
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: 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
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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
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