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

Generous clusters of aromatic flowers in lavender-blue, violet and purple grow on clumping plants to a height and girth of three feet. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025

Their signature eyeshadow palette features a rainbow of enticing hues, including violet, emerald, and cobalt blue, housed in an equally stunning gold tin. —Essence, 15 Oct. 2025

One knockout concoction called The Persephone, boasts gin, elderflower, crème de violet and thyme, a pun to the time Persephone spent in the underworld. —Suzanne Wright, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025

Located on the fifth floor of the brutalist building, the kitschy space is blanketed over in pistachio and deep violet, evoking cinematic intrigue. —Denni Hu, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 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