noun
Uncommon
auburn
AW-bn
Auburn (noun) means a reddish-brown colour, most often used to describe hair. Example: “Her auburn hair caught the afternoon light.”
noun
1
A reddish-brown colour, most often used to describe hair.
"Her auburn hair caught the afternoon light."
"The artist mixed a deep auburn for the autumn leaves."
"She dyed her hair a rich auburn for the winter."
adj
1
Having a reddish-brown colour.
"He remembered her auburn curls long after they'd lost touch."
"The fox had a soft auburn coat and a white tail."
"He admired the auburn leaves scattered along the path."
How to use auburn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA warm reddish-brown, especially describing hair colour.
Common pairings
auburn hair
deep auburn
auburn locks
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Word forms
- Plural
- auburns
- Comparative
- more auburn
- Superlative
- most auburn
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her _____ hair caught the afternoon light.
Etymology
From Old French auborne, "blond, flaxen," ultimately from Latin albus, "white." The meaning shifted to "reddish-brown" in English after it got mixed up with the unrelated word brown.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “auburn” mean?
The word “auburn” means a reddish-brown colour, most often used to describe hair. In plain terms, a warm reddish-brown, especially describing hair colour.
How do you pronounce “auburn”?
“Auburn” is pronounced AW-bn (/ˈɔ.bɚn/ in IPA).
How do you use “auburn” in a sentence?
Here is “auburn” used in a sentence: “Her auburn hair caught the afternoon light.”
What part of speech is “auburn”?
Depending on how it is used, “auburn” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “auburn” come from?
The word “auburn” comes from Latin. From Old French auborne, "blond, flaxen," ultimately from Latin albus, "white." The meaning shifted to "reddish-brown" in English after it got mixed up with the unrelated word brown.
Is “auburn” a common word?
“Auburn” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “auburn” have?
“Auburn” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a reddish-brown colour, most often used to describe hair.
What is the difference between auburn and red hair?
Auburn describes a specifically reddish-brown colour, most often used for hair, while red hair can range across brighter, more orange or copper tones. Auburn sits toward the brown end of the reddish spectrum rather than a pure, vivid red.
Can auburn describe things other than hair?
Auburn is most often used to describe hair colour, though as a general reddish-brown colour it can also describe other objects with that same tone, such as wood or animal fur.
What is the difference between auburn and chestnut hair colour?
Both describe a reddish-brown hair colour, but auburn tends to lean more distinctly red, while chestnut usually leans more toward a deeper, warmer brown with less red visibility. The two shades overlap and are sometimes used interchangeably by different people.
