: 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
Illustration of violet
violet 1a
Examples of violet in a Sentence
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According to Eyebuydirect, standard UV coatings on prescription lenses do not stop blue-violet light from reaching the eyes.—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026 According to Eyebuydirect, standard prescription lenses often include ultraviolet protection, but UV coatings do not stop blue-violet light from reaching the eyes.—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 13 June 2026 Clouds of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamom rise to meet soft violet leaves and lavender, before settling into a comforting sandalwood base.—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 12 June 2026 Tiny flowers add pops of blue, violet, white, and pink that spill over retaining walls, containers, and borders.—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for violet
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, from viole "the violet flower" (going back to Latin viola "any of various spring flowers, as Viola odorata," derivative of a base vi- of Mediterranean substratal origin, as also Greek íon "the color violet") + -et-et entry 1
: 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