purple
6 synonyms and 1 antonyms for purple, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Having the color between red and blue, like violet or lavender.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use purple
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English purpul, from purpure ("purple color"), from Latin purpura ("purple dye, shellfish"), from Greek porphúra. Historically associated with royalty because purple dye was rare and expensive, worn by emperors and kings.
Full origin of purple →Frequently asked questions
What does “purple” mean?
The word “purple” means having the color between red and blue, like violet or lavender. In plain terms, the color between red and blue; figuratively, also used to mean overly fancy writing.
How do you pronounce “purple”?
“Purple” is pronounced PUR-pl (/ˈpɝ.pl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “purple” in a sentence?
Here is “purple” used in a sentence: “She wore a purple dress to the gala.”
What is the opposite of “purple”?
The opposite of “purple” — its antonyms — is nonpurple.
What part of speech is “purple”?
Depending on how it is used, “purple” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “purple” come from?
The word “purple” comes from Latin.
Is “purple” a common word?
“Purple” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “purple” have?
“Purple” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having the color between red and blue, like violet or lavender.
What is the difference between purple and violet?
Purple is the broad colour between red and blue, covering shades like violet and lavender. Violet is a specific hue at the blue end of that range, close to the colour seen in a rainbow, so violet is one kind of purple.
What is the difference between purple, mauve, and lavender?
All three sit within the purple family, the colour between red and blue. Lavender is a pale, soft purple, while mauve is a muted, greyish purple, so both are lighter and less intense than a deep, saturated purple.
What colours mix to make purple?
Purple is described as the colour between red and blue, and combining red and blue is the usual way to produce it. Adding more red gives a warmer purple, while more blue pushes it toward violet.