Illustration of violet
- violet 1a
violet
noun
vi·o·let
ˈvī-(ə-)lət 
1
a
: any of a genus (Viola of the family Violaceae, the violet family) of chiefly herbs with alternate stipulate leaves and showy flowers in spring and often cleistogamous flowers in summer
especially
: one with smaller usually solid-colored flowers as distinguished from the usually larger-flowered violas and pansies
b
: any of several plants of genera other than that of the violet compare dogtooth violet
2
: any of a group of colors of reddish-blue hue, low lightness, and medium saturation
Examples of violet in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The new Rani takes a trip into the past to kidnap a baby, before turning his mother, father, and brothers into a pile of violets, an owl, and a flock of ducks, respectively.
—
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 24 May 2025
Species of fritillary butterflies lay their eggs on violets.
—Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2025
As the scent dries down, blossoming roses and violets are revealed, contrasted by a woody musk.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025
The botanicals include juniper, citrus, violet, and gorse.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for violet
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.
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 24 May 2025
Species of fritillary butterflies lay their eggs on violets.
—Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2025
As the scent dries down, blossoming roses and violets are revealed, contrasted by a woody musk.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025
The botanicals include juniper, citrus, violet, and gorse.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for violet
Cite this Entry
“Violet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violet. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
violet
noun
vi·o·let
ˈvī-ə-lət
1
a
: any of a genus of mostly herbs that often produce showy fragrant flowers in the spring and small closed self-pollinated flowers without petals in the summer
b
: any of several plants of other genera compare dogtooth violet
2
: a reddish blue
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share