purple

15 synonyms and 1 antonym for purple, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A colour between red and blue, like that of violets or ripe plums.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

imperial royal

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

violet lavender plum majestic regal

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

purpleness mauve magenta lilac empurpled purplish purpurate empurple

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A colour between red and blue, like that of violets or ripe plums.

“The painter mixed red and blue to make a deep purple.”

purpleness

2. adj

Having the color between red and blue, like violet or lavender.

“She wore a purple dress to the gala.”

violet lavender mauve magenta plum lilac majestic regal empurpled imperial royal purplish

Opposites

nonpurple

3. verb

To turn or make something purple in color.

“His face purpled with rage.”

purpurate empurple

How to use purple

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

purple prose royal purple turn purple with anger

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.

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royal imperial violet majestic plum lavender regal magenta mauve lilac

Nearby words

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