What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
purple
Example
She wore a purple dress to the party. [purple: adjective]
Example
The sky turned purple as the sun set. [purple: noun]
violet
Example
The walls were painted in a soft violet color. [violet: adjective]
Example
She picked a bouquet of violets from the garden. [violets: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Purple is more common than violet in everyday language, as it has a wider range of uses and associations. Violet is more specific and less versatile, and is often used in more formal or poetic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between purple and violet?
Violet is generally considered more formal and poetic than purple, which is more casual and versatile. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context and tone of the communication.
