Purple: meaning, definitions and examples

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purple

 

[ ˈpɜːrpl ]

Adjective
Oxford 3000 Color
Context #1 | Adjective

color

of a color intermediate between red and blue.

Synonyms

lavender, mauve, violet.

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Word Description / Examples
purple

General term used to describe a wide range of shades between blue and red. It can be used in everyday conversation, art, fashion, and general descriptions.

  • She wore a beautiful purple dress
  • The sunset painted the sky in hues of purple
violet

Refers to a bright and vivid purplish-blue color, closely related to the flower. Used in artistic and poetic descriptions due to its eye-catching brightness.

  • The garden was full of vibrant violet flowers
  • Her painting featured a striking violet sunset
lavender

Used to describe a pale purple color that is often associated with the flower of the same name. Common in describing light, soft, and pastel shades, particularly in fashion, interior design, and nature.

  • The room was decorated in soothing lavender tones
  • Her scarf was a delicate shade of lavender
mauve

Describes a muted, dusty purple with a grayish tint. Often used in more formal or specialized contexts, such as fashion, design, and describing more sophisticated color palettes.

  • The bridesmaids wore elegant mauve gowns
  • The artist selected mauve for its subtle, sophisticated feel

Examples of usage

  • The sky turned a deep purple as the sun set.
  • She wore a beautiful purple dress to the party.

Translations

Translations of the word "purple" in other languages:

🇵🇹 roxo

🇮🇳 बैंगनी

🇩🇪 lila

🇮🇩 ungu

🇺🇦 фіолетовий

🇵🇱 fioletowy

🇯🇵 紫 (むらさき)

🇫🇷 violet

🇪🇸 morado

🇹🇷 mor

🇰🇷 보라색 (borasaek)

🇸🇦 أرجواني

🇨🇿 fialová

🇸🇰 fialová

🇨🇳 紫色 (zǐsè)

🇸🇮 vijolična

🇮🇸 fjólublár

🇰🇿 күлгін

🇬🇪 იისფერი

🇦🇿 bənövşəyi

🇲🇽 morado

Etymology

The word 'purple' originates from the Old English word 'purpul', which came from the Latin 'purpura'. Purple has long been associated with royalty and power due to the rarity and expense of the dye used to produce the color. In ancient times, purple dye was made from the mucus of sea snails, making it a luxurious and highly sought-after color.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,064 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.