What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mauve
Example
She wore a beautiful mauve dress to the party. [mauve: adjective]
Example
The walls of the room were painted in a soft mauve color. [mauve: noun]
lilac
Example
The lilac flowers in the garden smelled wonderful. [lilac: noun]
Example
She chose a lilac-colored blouse to wear to the interview. [lilac: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lilac is more commonly used than mauve in everyday language. Lilac is a popular color for fashion, home decor, and art, while mauve is less common and may be considered outdated in some contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mauve and lilac?
Mauve is generally considered more formal than lilac. Mauve is associated with sophistication and elegance, making it suitable for formal occasions, while lilac is associated with playfulness and informality, making it more appropriate for casual settings.
