Purple vs. Mauve — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 19, 2023
Purple is a color intermediate between blue and red, while mauve is a pale, grayish shade of purple.
Difference Between Purple and Mauve
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Key Differences
Purple and mauve are both shades in the purple color spectrum, but they differ in their hue and intensity. Purple is a rich, vibrant color, often associated with royalty and luxury. In contrast, mauve is more subdued, characterized by its grayish and pale undertones.
Historically, the color purple was often difficult to produce and hence was reserved for the elite. Mauve, on the other hand, gained popularity in the 19th century with the discovery of aniline dyes, which made its production easier and more widespread.
In terms of their symbolic meanings, purple often connotes power, nobility, and luxury. Mauve, being milder, does not carry such strong connotations but is often associated with elegance and subtlety.
From a fashion perspective, purple can be a bold choice, making a strong statement. Mauve, being a more muted shade, offers a softer, more delicate aesthetic suitable for both casual and formal settings.
Artistically, while purple might be used to depict depth, emotion, or to attract attention, mauve can be used to create a calming, sophisticated backdrop or element in a piece.
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Comparison Chart
Hue & Intensity
Vibrant, deep
Pale, grayish
Historical Use
Reserved for elite, hard to produce
Popularized with aniline dyes, 19th century
Symbolic Meaning
Power, nobility, luxury
Elegance, subtlety
Fashion Appeal
Bold statement
Soft, versatile
Artistic Usage
Depth, emotion, focal point
Calming backdrop, sophistication
Compare with Definitions
Purple
Excessively ornate or elaborate.
The author's purple prose was criticized.
Mauve
Pertaining to the first synthetic dye of this shade.
The mauve revolution in the fashion industry began in the 19th century.
Purple
A color often associated with spirituality.
The priest wore a purple stole.
Mauve
Reflecting subtlety or understatement.
The room had a soft mauve undertone.
Purple
Purple may refer to any of a variety of colors with hue between red and blue. However, the meaning of the color term purple differs even among native speakers of English, for example when comparing speakers from the United Kingdom with those from the United States )..
Mauve
A pale, grayish violet color.
She chose a mauve dress for the evening.
Purple
A colour intermediate between red and blue
The painting was mostly in shades of blue and purple
Mauve
A hue often associated with calmness and serenity.
The mauve horizon at dawn was breathtaking.
Purple
A crimson dye obtained from some molluscs, formerly used for fabric worn by an emperor or senior magistrate in ancient Rome or Byzantium.
Mauve
Indicative of sophistication or elegance.
The mauve curtains added a touch of elegance to the room.
Purple
Of a colour intermediate between red and blue
A faded purple T-shirt
Mauve
Mauve ( (listen), mohv; (listen), mawv) is a pale purple color named after the mallow flower (French: mauve). The first use of the word mauve as a color was in 1796–98 according to the Oxford English Dictionary, but its use seems to have been rare before 1859.
Purple
Make or become purple in colour
Edmund's cheeks purpled
The neon was purpling the horizon above the highway
Mauve
Of a pale purple colour
Blossoms with mauve and white petals
Purple
Any of a group of colors with a hue between that of violet and red.
Mauve
A pale purple colour
A few pale streaks of mauve were all that remained of the sunset
Glowing with soft pastel mauves and pinks
Purple
Cloth of a color between violet and red, formerly worn as a symbol of royalty or high office.
Mauve
A pale purple aniline dye prepared by William H. Perkin in 1856. It was the first synthetic dyestuff.
Purple
Imperial power; high rank
Born to the purple.
Mauve
A moderate grayish violet to reddish purple.
Purple
The rank or office of a cardinal.
Mauve
(historical) A bright purple synthetic dye.
Purple
The rank or office of a bishop.
Mauve
The colour of this dye; a pale purple or violet colour.
Purple
Of the color purple.
Mauve
Having a pale purple colour.
Purple
Royal or imperial; regal.
Mauve
A color of a delicate purple, violet, or lilac.
Purple
Elaborate and ornate
Purple prose.
Mauve
A moderate purple
Purple
To make or become purple.
Mauve
Of a pale to moderate grayish violet color
Purple
A color that is a dark blend of red and blue; dark magenta.
Purple
(colour theory) Any non-spectral colour on the line of purples on a colour chromaticity diagram or a colour wheel between violet and red.
Purple
Cloth, or a garment, dyed a purple colour; especially, a purple robe, worn as an emblem of rank or authority; specifically, the purple robe or mantle worn by Ancient Roman emperors as the emblem of imperial dignity.
To put on the imperial purple
Purple
(by extension) Imperial power, because the colour purple was worn by emperors and kings.
Purple
Any of various species of mollusks from which Tyrian purple dye was obtained, especially the common dog whelk.
Purple
The purple haze cultivar of cannabis in the kush family, either pure or mixed with others, or by extension any variety of smoked marijuana.
Purple
(medicine) Purpura.
Purple
Earcockle, a disease of wheat.
Purple
Any of the species of large butterflies, usually marked with purple or blue, of the genus Basilarchia (formerly Limenitis).
The banded purple
Purple
A cardinalate.
Purple
Ellipsis of purple drank
Purple
Having a colour/color that is a dark blend of red and blue.
Purple
(US politics) Not predominantly red or blue, but having a mixture of Democrat and Republican support.
Purple state
Purple city
Purple
(in Netherlands and Belgium) Mixed between social democrats and liberals.
Purple
Imperial; regal.
Purple
Blood-red; bloody.
Purple
(of language) Extravagantly ornate, like purple prose.
Purple
Completed in the fastest time so far in a given session.
Purple
(intransitive) To turn purple in colour.
Purple
(transitive) To dye purple.
Purple
(transitive) To clothe in purple.
Purple
A color formed by, or resembling that formed by, a combination of the primary colors red and blue.
Arraying with reflected purple and goldThe clouds that on his western throne attend.
Purple
Cloth dyed a purple color, or a garment of such color; especially, a purple robe, worn as an emblem of rank or authority; specifically, the purple rode or mantle worn by Roman emperors as the emblem of imperial dignity; as, to put on the imperial purple.
Thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and purple, and scarlet.
Purple
Hence: Imperial sovereignty; royal rank, dignity, or favor; loosely and colloquially, any exalted station; great wealth.
Purple
A cardinalate. See Cardinal.
Purple
Any species of large butterflies, usually marked with purple or blue, of the genus Basilarchia (formerly Limenitis) as, the banded purple (Basilarchia arthemis). See Illust. under Ursula.
Purple
Any shell of the genus Purpura.
Purple
See Purpura.
Purple
A disease of wheat. Same as Earcockle.
Purple
Exhibiting or possessing the color called purple, much esteemed for its richness and beauty; of a deep red, or red and blue color; as, a purple robe.
Purple
Imperial; regal; - so called from the color having been an emblem of imperial authority.
Hide in the dust thy purple pride.
Purple
Blood-red; bloody.
May such purple tears be alway shed.
I view a field of blood,And Tiber rolling with a purple blood.
Purple
To make purple; to dye of purple or deep red color; as, hands purpled with blood.
When mornPurples the east.
Reclining soft in blissful bowers,Purpled sweet with springing flowers.
Purple
A chromatic color between red and blue
Purple
Of imperial status;
He was born to the purple
Purple
Become purple
Purple
Color purple
Purple
Of a color midway between red and blue
Purple
Excessively elaborate or showily expressed;
A writer of empurpled literature
Many purple passages
Speech embellished with classical quotations
An over-embellished story of the fish that got away
Purple
Belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler;
Golden age of imperial splendor
Purple tyrant
Regal attire
Treated with royal acclaim
The royal carriage of a stag's head
Purple
A color intermediate between red and blue.
The sky turned a deep shade of purple as the sun set.
Purple
Symbolic of royalty or nobility.
The king wore a purple robe.
Purple
Representing high rank or authority.
She was given the purple honor of the society.
Common Curiosities
Is purple always a deep shade?
No, purple can range from deep to light shades, but is typically more vibrant than mauve.
How was mauve dye originally discovered?
Mauve dye was discovered serendipitously in the 19th century from aniline, a coal tar derivative.
Are there flowers with a mauve hue?
Yes, there are flowers like roses and lilacs that can have a mauve hue.
Which color is more commonly associated with royalty?
Purple is traditionally associated with royalty and nobility.
Can purple and mauve be combined in fashion?
Absolutely! They can complement each other well, with purple providing contrast to the subtlety of mauve.
Can mauve be considered a shade of purple?
Yes, mauve is a pale, grayish shade of purple.
How does one differentiate between purple and mauve in art?
Purple is typically deeper and more vibrant, while mauve has pale, grayish undertones.
Is mauve a natural color?
While mauve can occur naturally, the popularity of the color began with synthetic dyes.
How are purple and mauve used in interior design?
Purple can create a dramatic effect, while mauve offers a subtle, sophisticated ambiance.
Which color is closer to lavender: purple or mauve?
Lavender is closer to mauve, as both are pale shades of purple.
Why was purple dye historically hard to produce?
Purple dye, especially Tyrian purple, was made from a specific sea snail, making it rare and expensive.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
