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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."
adj
1
Having a reddish-brown colour.
"He remembered her auburn curls long after they'd lost touch."

How to Use Auburn

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA warm reddish-brown, especially describing hair colour.

Common pairings
auburn hair deep auburn auburn locks

Word Forms

more auburn comparative, auburns plural, most auburn superlative

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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.

Origin: Latin

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.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial