What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
puce
Example
She wore a puce dress to the party. [puce: adjective]
Example
The living room was decorated in shades of puce and cream. [puce: noun]
plum
Example
She painted her nails with a plum-colored polish. [plum: adjective]
Example
The velvet couch was a rich shade of plum. [plum: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Plum is more commonly used than puce in everyday language. Plum is a versatile color that can be used in various contexts, while puce is less common and may be considered outdated or obscure.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between puce and plum?
Both puce and plum can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, puce may be perceived as more formal due to its association with elegance and refinement.