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

In the Sentinel-2 satellites' orbital view, Doñana's wetlands appear as shifting patches of dark blue and violet, signatures of shallow water spread across the park's floodplain. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 20 Feb. 2026

The nose is surprisingly delicate, with hints of anise, violet and maple syrup. —Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026

Cardamom brings a cozy warmth, iris and violet add brightness, and sandalwood and cedarwood give it that signature leathery edge. —Allure, 17 Feb. 2026

The blue-violet flowers open sequentially along upright wands that rise three to four feet high. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026

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