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

Aromas of blueberry, violet, and ripe black fruits draw you into the glass for flavors of blackberry, black plum, pencil lead, and cinnamon at the very end. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 28 Nov. 2025

Wellness Junkie Belnu Chai Fleur, $170 For the clean-fragrance-only crew, Belnu’s newest paraben- and phthalate-free scent blends essential oils with alcohol, water and floral-spicy notes of cinnamon, cardamom and violet. —Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 25 Nov. 2025

From hues of violet and magenta to neon green and burnt orange, the northern lights illuminated the sky across North America overnight. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025

Mix flower varieties and tones, ranging from fuchsia and plum to dusty pink and violet. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Nov. 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