mauve
Mauve (noun) means a pale purple colour. Example: “She painted the bedroom walls a soft mauve.”
How to use mauve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA pale, dusky shade of purple.
Word forms
mauver comparative, more mauve comparative, mauves plural, mauvest superlative, most mauve superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She painted the bedroom walls a soft _____.
Etymology
From French mauve, "mallow" (the flower), named for the purple synthetic dye accidentally discovered in 1856 by chemist William Henry Perkin — the first artificial aniline dye.
Rhymes for mauve
See all rhymes for mauve →Frequently asked questions
What does “mauve” mean?
The word “mauve” means a pale purple colour. In plain terms, a pale, dusky shade of purple.
How do you pronounce “mauve”?
“Mauve” is pronounced mohv (/məʊv/ in IPA).
How do you use “mauve” in a sentence?
Here is “mauve” used in a sentence: “She painted the bedroom walls a soft mauve.”
What part of speech is “mauve”?
Depending on how it is used, “mauve” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “mauve” come from?
The word “mauve” dates back to around 1856 and comes from French. From French mauve, "mallow" (the flower), named for the purple synthetic dye accidentally discovered in 1856 by chemist William Henry Perkin — the first artificial aniline dye.
How many meanings does “mauve” have?
“Mauve” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a pale purple colour.