What does violet mean?
Violet is a familiar English word with two closely related meanings: it names a flowering plant, especially one with purple or blue-purple blossoms, and it names a purplish-blue color. The plant sense is common in gardens, floral descriptions, and references to violet flowers. The color sense appears in fashion, painting, lighting, and descriptions of objects such as eyes, skies, and fabrics. As an adjective, violet is similarly versatile: a violet dress, violet light, or violet petals. Although violet is often treated as a shade of purple in everyday speech, it can also suggest a color toward the blue side of the purple range. The word also has a cultural resonance because violets have traditionally been associated with spring, modesty, remembrance, and affection. Its history links the familiar flower name with related forms in French and Latin, making it both useful and evocative in modern English.
A flowering plant of the genus Viola, especially one with purple or blue-purple blossoms; also a purplish-blue color.
"A cluster of violets appeared beneath the hedge."
When referring to the color, the word often functions as a mass noun, as in “a shade of violet.”
Having a purplish-blue or violet-colored appearance.
"She tied a violet ribbon around her wrist."
The adjective is commonly used for clothing, flowers, light, and other objects perceived as purplish-blue.
The plural normally refers to more than one violet flower, though it can also refer to multiple plants or blooms collectively.
"Violets grew in the shady corner of the garden."
The violet's name travels through French from the Latin word viola, a root shared with the floral genus named for the same plant.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does violet come from?
The English word came through Old French, where a diminutive of viole referred to the flower, and ultimately derives from Latin viola, the name of the plant. The same Latin root underlies cognates such as French violette and the botanical name Viola. The modern color sense developed alongside the plant name, while the adjective has long been used to describe things of the characteristic purplish-blue hue.
Related word forms
How violet is actually used
Violet is commonly used as both a noun and an adjective. As a color term it can refer to shades ranging from bluish purple to reddish purple, depending on context.
Easily confused with violet
A violet is a plant commonly known as a violet, whereas a viola is a related but distinct flowering plant; in music, viola also names a stringed instrument.