Deep purple is a rich, vivid shade of purple that has been a popular color choice for many years. There are many descriptive words and phrases that can be used to refer to the striking hue of deep purple.
Violet
One of the most common words used to describe deep purple is “violet.” Violet is the color located at the end of the visible spectrum, right before ultraviolet. It is one of the seven colors of the rainbow and a spectral color with its own wavelength of light. The word violet can be used to refer to a vivid purple shade like that of the deep purple color.
Royal Purple
“Royal purple” is another term often used to describe a deep, rich purple shade. This descriptor likely originated from the rarity and expense of creating dyes in this color in ancient times. Royal purple was particularly prized in antiquity and came to signify luxury, ambition, and nobility. Using “royal purple” conveys regality and richness when referring to the deep purple color.
Eggplant
The deep purple shade is also commonly likened to the color of eggplants. Eggplants are a vibrant purple fruit grown around the world, and their distinctive rich color has led “eggplant” to become a widely recognized adjective for deep shades of purple. Describing something as “eggplant purple” immediately creates a vivid impression of its dark, saturated purple color.
Magenta
While technically referring to a more reddish-purple tone, “magenta” is sometimes used when talking about deep shades of purple. Magenta sits between purple and red on the color wheel and is considered a tertiary color. The term may be used creatively or colloquially to describe the deep purple color.
Plum
Like eggplant, plums lend their name to describe deep shades of purple. Plum is a reddish shade of purple that matches the skin of ripe plum fruits. Calling a color “plum purple” suggests it is a lush, vivid, cool-toned purple, similar to the juicy purple plum skin.
Grape
Grapes are yet another purple fruit that get their color referenced in descriptions of rich purple shades. The deepest shades of purple grapes can display vivid, saturated hues. Describing something as “grape purple” calls to mind this lush, juicy purple color.
| Color | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Violet | #8F00FF |
| Royal Purple | #7851A9 |
| Eggplant | #614051 |
| Magenta | #FF00FF |
| Plum | #8E4585 |
| Grape | #6F2DA8 |
Mauve
Mauve is a pale purple that can also be used to describe softer or lighter shades of purple. However, some deep shades of mauve can still exhibit the richness of deep purple. Calling a color “mauve” suggests a purple with soft, muted elegance.
Purple
The simplest, most direct descriptor for the shade is, of course, just “purple.” While purple encompasses a wide range of shades, calling a color simply “purple” on its own will likely conjure an image of the deep, quintessential purple that sits between blue and red on the color wheel.
Lavender
Lavender is a soft pastel purple, but deep lavender shades can exhibit the same richness of deep purple. The term “lavender” evokes a sense of delicateness and femininity when describing the deep purple color.
Orchid
Orchids come in a wide range of purple tones, including many deep, saturated shades. Describing a color as “orchid” suggests a rich purple with cool undertones, inspired by the exotic flowers.
Amethyst
Amethyst crystals display a popular regal shade of deep purple. The gemstone quality of amethysts has made them prized for centuries, so calling a color “amethyst purple” suggests depth, brilliance and luxury.
Byzantium
“Byzantium” is a more unusual descriptor that references a rich tyrian purple shade used in the artwork of the ancient Byzantine Empire. Calling a color “Byzantium purple” gives it an ancient, regal, historic quality.
Tyrian Purple
Tyrian purple was the rarest, most prized shade of purple in antiquity made from a secreting of marine mollusks. “Tyrian purple” indicates an extremely rare, brilliant purple hue and conveys exoticism and prestige.
Mulberry
Mulberries are a flavorful berry that grow in a deep reddish-purple color. “Mulberry” suggests a color not quite as blue as a pure purple, but still deep and vivid when describing the tone.
Wisteria
Wisteria is a flowering vine plant that produces gorgeous clusters of flowers in shades of light to deep purple. The term “wisteria purple” brings to mind vibrant, elegant blooms in rich purple tones.
Purple Heart
Purple heart is a medal awarded to wounded military service members. It also refers to several purple-hued plants. Calling a color “purple heart” suggests richness and depth, with connotations of sacrifice.
Pansy
Pansies are a popular flower that comes in deep, vivid purple shades. Describing a color as “pansy purple” evokes the image of the dark, velvety richness of pansy petals.
Jacaranda
Jacaranda trees produce stunning clusters of trumpet-shaped blooms in a vivid purple-blue color. Calling a shade “jacaranda purple” suggests an exotic, vibrant richness replicating these flowers.
Conclusion
Deep purple is a timeless, beloved color with many poetic and descriptive words associated with its striking hue. Violet, royal purple, eggplant, plum, and grape link its tones to familiar purple fruits and flowers. Mauve, lavender, orchid and other flower names call to mind soft, delicate purples. Amethyst, byzantium and tyrian purple describe its regal, precious qualities. Whatever the term, rich, vivid purples never fail to make a stunning impression.
