Illustration of periwinkle
- periwinkle a
per·i·win·kle
ˈper-i-ˌwiŋ-kəl 
1
: any of several trailing or woody evergreen herbs of the dogbane family: such as
a(1)
: a European creeper (Vinca minor) widely cultivated as a ground cover and for its blue or white flowers
called also myrtle
(2)
: a trailing plant (Vinca major) with large blue flowers that is used as a ground cover and in window boxes
b
2
: a light purplish blue
called also periwinkle blue
: any of various gastropod mollusks: such as
a
: any of a genus (Littorina) of edible littoral marine snails
also
: any of various similar or related marine snails
b
: any of several North American freshwater snails
Examples of periwinkle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
Feeling hesitant about periwinkle’s edginess?
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 29 Jan. 2026
Coco Gauff brought monochrome dressing to the 2026 Australian Open tennis tournament in a periwinkle kit courtesy of her partnership with New Balance.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, her fiancé opted for a classic navy suit paired with a periwinkle shirt and gray tie.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for periwinkle
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The leather construction on these sneakers elevates the classic Cortez silhouette, while the periwinkle hue adds a pop that sets them apart from standard white sneakers.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
Feeling hesitant about periwinkle’s edginess?
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 29 Jan. 2026
Coco Gauff brought monochrome dressing to the 2026 Australian Open tennis tournament in a periwinkle kit courtesy of her partnership with New Balance.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, her fiancé opted for a classic navy suit paired with a periwinkle shirt and gray tie.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for periwinkle
Cite this Entry
“Periwinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periwinkle. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
periwinkle
1 of 2 noun
per·i·win·kle
ˈper-i-ˌwiŋ-kəl
: an evergreen herb that spreads along the ground and has shiny leaves and blue or white flowers
periwinkle
2 of 2 noun1
: any of various small edible marine snails of coastal regions
2
: the shell of a periwinkle
Etymology
Noun
Old English perwince "periwinkle vine," from Latin pervinca (same meaning)
Noun
Old English pinewincle "an edible sea snail"
Medical Definition
periwinkle
noun
per·i·win·kle
ˈper-i-ˌwiŋ-kəl
: any of several trailing or woody evergreen plants of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae)
especially
: rosy periwinkle
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
