mauve
Americannoun
-
a pale bluish purple.
-
a purple dye obtained from aniline, discovered in 1856: the first of the coal-tar dyes.
adjective
noun
-
-
any of various pale to moderate pinkish-purple or bluish-purple colours
-
( as adjective )
a mauve flower
-
-
Also called: Perkin's mauve, mauveine. a reddish-purple aniline dye
Etymology
Origin of mauve
1855–60; < French: literally, mallow < Latin malva mallow
Explanation
Mauve is a pale, grayish-purple color. Despite how people often pronounce it, mauve should rhyme with “stove.” Mauve is a relative of purple, violet, or lilac. It shows up in sunsets, on colorful birds and flowers, and sometimes on bridesmaids’ dresses. Mauve is French for “mallow,” and was first used to describe a dye made from a mallow plant. Guess what color runs through the flowers of a mallow plant? That’s right — it’s mauve!
Vocabulary lists containing mauve
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Purple
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"The Witches" by Roald Dahl, Chapters 1–5
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Her lips are a neutral dusty mauve, her bass guitar a lustrous red.
From Salon ● Feb. 19, 2026
Scientists and amateur naturalists have observed a remarkable range of species not usually widespread in UK waters, including octopus, bluefin tuna and mauve stinger jellyfish.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2025
She also made one for herself in something of a mauve color that my sister has and which she gave to me first thing after the fire.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 7, 2025
Try using black as your larger pieces such as upholstery and mauve for accents.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 27, 2024
She drew him a map on the back of a mauve flyer, which advertised a chicken roast to raise money for a young girl who needed a new kidney.
From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
