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noun

magenta

muh-JEHN-tuh

Magenta (noun) means a vivid pinkish-purple color, one of the primary colors used in color printing. Example: “The poster used bright magenta lettering against a black background.”

noun
1
A vivid pinkish-purple color, one of the primary colors used in color printing.
"The poster used bright magenta lettering against a black background."
adj
1
Having this pinkish-purple color.
"She wore a magenta scarf that stood out in the grey office."

How to use magenta

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA bright pink-purple color, one of the four inks (with cyan, yellow, and black) used in most color printers.

Common pairings
magenta ink a shade of magenta

Word forms

more magenta comparative, magentas plural, most magenta superlative

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Test yourself on “magenta” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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The poster used bright _____ lettering against a black background.

Etymology

Named after the Battle of Magenta (1859) in Italy, around the time a French chemist discovered the dye and named it in the battle's honor.

Origin: French · First attested 1859

Class of 1859 magenta joined the language around 1859.
See the full Class of 1859 →

Rhymes for magenta

See all rhymes for magenta →

Frequently asked questions

What does “magenta” mean?

The word “magenta” means a vivid pinkish-purple color, one of the primary colors used in color printing. In plain terms, a bright pink-purple color, one of the four inks (with cyan, yellow, and black) used in most color printers.

How do you pronounce “magenta”?

“Magenta” is pronounced muh-JEHN-tuh (/məˈd͡ʒɛntə/ in IPA).

How do you use “magenta” in a sentence?

Here is “magenta” used in a sentence: “The poster used bright magenta lettering against a black background.”

What part of speech is “magenta”?

Depending on how it is used, “magenta” can be a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “magenta” come from?

The word “magenta” dates back to around 1859 and comes from French. Named after the Battle of Magenta (1859) in Italy, around the time a French chemist discovered the dye and named it in the battle's honor.

How many meanings does “magenta” have?

“Magenta” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a vivid pinkish-purple color, one of the primary colors used in color printing.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial