purpler
ˈpər-p(ə-)lər 
; purplest
ˈpər-p(ə-)ləst
1
: having a color between red and blue : of the color purple
a purple flower
purple fabric
… can only have left his antagonists purple with frustration.—
Joseph Epstein
2
a
: ornately and showily phrased or expressed
… the writing often descends into the purple prose of a besotted fan.—Stephen Holden
… Rice is a first-rate writer. There are no purple patches in this narrative, and no attempts to sermonize.—Lawrence S. Cunningham
b
: marked by profanity
His language in public is so purple they had to stop broadcasting the meetings of the city council.—Newsweek
3
US politics
: having roughly equal levels of support for Democratic and Republican candidates or policies
… a blue candidate trying to swipe a red seat in a purple state.—Don Rollins
… as the race pulled tighter than Paris Hilton's jeans, Kerry volunteers flooded the purple states to energize their voters—tens of thousands of them newly registered.—Michelle Cottle
compare blue sense 9, red sense 5
1
a(1)
: cloth dyed purple
(2)
: a garment of such color
especially
: a purple robe worn as an emblem of rank or authority
b(1)
(2)
: any of various colors that fall about midway between red and blue in hue
c(1)
: a mollusk (as of the genus Purpura) yielding a purple dye and especially the Tyrian purple of ancient times
(2)
: a pigment or dye that colors purple
2
a
: imperial or regal rank or power
b
: high rank or station
Synonyms
Examples of purple in a Sentence
Adjective
The book contains a few purple passages.
Her writing was full of purple prose.
Recent Examples on the Web
Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 30 Nov. 2024
This best seller is bursting with hydrating hyaluronic acid, moisture-sealing biomimetic squalane, and free radical-fighting Japanese purple rice for an ultra-strong barrier and serious glow.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 29 Nov. 2024
Nora Colomer, Fox News, 29 Nov. 2024
The streets of Abha burst into purple in spring when the jacarandas bloom, and the town’s market, open daily, is filled with piles of dates, honey from the high peaks, and colorful fabrics.
—Selina Denman, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Nov. 2024
Saul Elbein, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2024
His opponent, Jennifer McCormick, is a former Republican turned Democrat with a difficult road to victory in reliably red Indiana, but she and running mate Terry Goodin are poised to capitalize on a purpling electorate.
—Arika Herron, Axios, 16 Sep. 2024
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Adjective
Haley opted for a purple cheerleader uniform, smiling and carrying a white basket for her candy.
—Noun
This kit has over 50 different slime supplies all in one box to create 18 beautifully wacky colors of crystal slime, ranging from clear to purple.
—Verb
Democrats failed to pick up — and lost ground — in key cities and suburbs
Democrats went into this election hoping to complete their takeover of the state’s five big urban counties — and expand into the purpling suburbs around them.
—
Dictionary Entries Near purple
Cite this Entry
“Purple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purple. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
purple
1 of 3 adjective
pur·ple
ˈpər-pəl
purpler
-p(ə-)lər
; purplest
-p(ə-)ləst
: of the color purple
purple
2 of 3 noun
: a color midway between red and blue
Medical Definition
purple
1 of 2 adjective
pur·ple
ˈpər-pəl
purpler
-p(ə-)lər
; purplest
-p(ə-)ləst
: of the color purple
purple
2 of 2 noun1
: any of various colors that fall about midway between red and blue in hue
2
: a pigment or dye that colors purple see visual purple
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