purplish

adjective

pur·​plish ˈpər-p(ə-)lish How to pronounce purplish (audio)
: somewhat purple

Examples of purplish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
From top to bottom the colors are dark orange, orange, pale orange, white, light pink, pink, and dark or purplish pink. — Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Aug. 2026 Ornamental cabbage is another plant that both experts highly recommended adding to your garden for its bluish green, purplish hues. — Mallory Carra, The Spruce, 18 Aug. 2026 Look for the spot at 10555 Mission Road with penny tile and purplish-blue accents. — Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026 Skin contact followed by exposure to sunlight may result in painful, burning blisters and red blotches that later develop into purplish or blackened scars. — Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for purplish

Word History

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of purplish was in 1562

Browse Nearby Words

purple wreath
purplish
purply
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Purplish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purplish. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

purplish

adjective
pur·​plish ˈpər-p(ə-)lish How to pronounce purplish (audio)
: somewhat purple
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gist

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All