mauve

[ mohv ]

noun

1. a pale bluish purple.
2. a purple dye obtained from aniline, discovered in 1856: the first of the coal-tar dyes.

adjective

1. of the color of mauve:

   a mauve dress.

mauve

/ məʊv /

noun

1. 1. any of various pale to moderate pinkish-purple or bluish-purple colours
   2. ( as adjective )

      a mauve flower

2. Also calledPerkin's mauvemauveineˈməʊviːn-vɪn a reddish-purple aniline dye

Word History and Origins

Origin of mauve¹

1855–60; < French: literally, mallow < Latin malva mallow

Word History and Origins

Origin of mauve¹

C19: from French, from Latin malva mallow

Example Sentences

This year, political pundits are doubling down on the idea that Orange County’s mauve march continues.

From Los Angeles Times

They’re seemingly white at a distance, but look closely, and you’ll find each pearly bloom has watercolor shades of blue, grass green and grayed mauve with a golden center.

From Seattle Times

“We have never done this color before. It’s a light mauve and darker violet. It sort of recalls the landscape of France.”

From Seattle Times

Anyone over the age of 45 will likely remember the “it” colors of the 1980s — black and mauve.

From Seattle Times

Far below him on the seabed the corals reached up in tentacles of red and buds of thorny mauve.

From Literature