What does burgundy mean?
Burgundy is most familiar as a color name for a deep purplish red, a shade often associated with wine, autumn leaves, and rich formal clothing. It can also mean a red wine produced in Burgundy, the historic region in present-day France, or be used as an adjective to describe that color or something associated with the region. In the color sense, the term is broad rather than technically precise: descriptions such as wine red or maroon may overlap with it, depending on context. In the wine sense, Burgundy has a much more specific geographical meaning, naming wines made in a famous French wine region and its recognized appellations. The word is useful because it links an everyday visual description with a place whose name became internationally influential through its wine industry. It also illustrates how a geographic name can develop a color meaning when a characteristic local product or association makes the name memorable.
A deep purplish-red color, or a red wine made in Burgundy, France.
"The label on the bottle identified the wine as Burgundy."
The plural burgundies is especially used for individual wines from the region.
Having the color of burgundy, or relating to Burgundy, its wine, or its people.
"A burgundy velvet jacket completed his formal outfit."
Used especially of individual wines produced in Burgundy.
"The cellar contains several burgundies from renowned French vineyards."
Burgundy is both a celebrated French wine region and a deep purple-red color named after it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does burgundy come from?
The word comes through English from French Bourgogne, the name of the historic region and wine-producing area in present-day France. Its deeper source is the Latin name Burgundia, used for the region and ultimately traced to a Germanic element meaning “fortified settlement.” The English wine and color senses developed from the region's cultural and commercial associations, particularly its long-standing importance as a wine-producing area.
Related word forms
How burgundy is actually used
When referring to the French region or its wine, Burgundy is normally capitalized. The color sense is commonly lowercase, although capitalization practices vary by style guide.
Easily confused with burgundy
Burgundy names a region, its wines, and a color, whereas Burgundian describes a person, historical group, or thing associated with Burgundy.