English · Word Candidate

violet

/ˈvaɪ.ə.lət/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: violets · violeter · violetest

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A plant or flower of the genus Viola, especially the fragrant Viola odorata; (inexact) similar-looking plants and flowers.

Noun

Examples

Refreshed by their cooling bath of evening dew, the violets and other nocturnal flowers emitted a pleasant fragrance over the fields, but from the bogs and the rivulets came up now and then damp, penetrating gusts, that sent an icy chill through me.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A person thought to resemble V. odorata, especially in its beauty and delicacy.

Noun

Examples

‘Tom,’ he said, ‘you are looking at a crushed violet, a spent egg, a squeezed tube.’

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Of a violet colour.

Adjective

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “violet” mean?

A plant or flower of the genus Viola, especially the fragrant Viola odorata; (inexact) similar-looking plants and flowers.

Is “violet” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.