Lavender vs. Purple — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 26, 2023
Lavender is a pale, soft purple color often associated with the fragrant lavender plant. Purple is a color that encompasses a range of shades between red and blue in various intensities.
Difference Between Lavender and Purple
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Key Differences
Lavender: A specific shade of purple with a lighter, pastel hue. Purple: A broader category that includes various shades and intensities of the color.
Lavender: A single, distinct color often used for its soothing and tranquil qualities. Purple: Encompasses a wide range of shades from deep, dark purples to lighter tones, each conveying different emotions.
Lavender: Often associated with relaxation, spirituality, and healing in various cultures. Purple: Historically linked to royalty and power, seen as a symbol of wealth and authority.
Compare with Definitions
Lavender
A pale, soothing shade reminiscent of the lavender plant.
She painted her bedroom walls in a calming lavender.
Purple
A color encompassing a range of hues between red and blue.
Her dress was a deep shade of purple.
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Lavender
A color associated with tranquility and relaxation.
The spa used lavender décor for a serene atmosphere.
Purple
Evokes a sense of creativity and mystery.
The novel's cover featured a mysterious purple landscape.
Lavender
A soft purple hue often used in floral arrangements.
The bridesmaids wore lovely lavender dresses.
Purple
A color associated with spirituality and transformation.
The meditation room was decorated in shades of purple.
Lavender
A color symbolizing peace and harmony.
The lavender sky at sunset was breathtaking.
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 )..
Lavender
A small aromatic evergreen shrub of the mint family, with narrow leaves and bluish-purple flowers, used in perfumery and medicine.
Purple
A colour intermediate between red and blue
The painting was mostly in shades of blue and purple
Lavender
A pale blue colour with a trace of mauve
She wore a lavender silk dress
Romantic designs in old-fashioned tones of primrose, lavender, and rose
Purple
A crimson dye obtained from some molluscs, formerly used for fabric worn by an emperor or senior magistrate in ancient Rome or Byzantium.
Lavender
Perfume with lavender
Lavendered sheets
Purple
Of a colour intermediate between red and blue
A faded purple T-shirt
Lavender
Any of various aromatic plants of the genus Lavandula of the mint family, native chiefly to the Mediterranean region, especially L. angustifolia, having clusters of small purplish flowers. Lavender is widely cultivated as an ornamental and for its essential oil, used in perfumery and cosmetics.
Purple
Make or become purple in colour
Edmund's cheeks purpled
The neon was purpling the horizon above the highway
Lavender
The fragrant dried leaves, stems, and flowers of this plant.
Purple
Any of a group of colors with a hue between that of violet and red.
Lavender
A pale to light purple to very light or very pale violet.
Purple
Cloth of a color between violet and red, formerly worn as a symbol of royalty or high office.
Lavender
Any of a group of European plants, genus, Lavandula, of the mint family.
Purple
Imperial power; high rank
Born to the purple.
Lavender
(color) A pale bluish purple colour, like that of the lavender flower.
Purple
The rank or office of a cardinal.
Lavender
A kind of film stock for creating positive prints from negatives as part of the process of duplicating the negatives.
Purple
The rank or office of a bishop.
Lavender
(color) Having a pale purple colour.
Purple
Of the color purple.
Lavender
(politics) Pertaining to LGBT people and rights.
Purple
Royal or imperial; regal.
Lavender
(politics) Pertaining to lesbian feminism; opposing heterosexism. en
Purple
Elaborate and ornate
Purple prose.
Lavender
(transitive) To decorate or perfume with lavender.
Purple
To make or become purple.
Lavender
An aromatic plant of the genus Lavandula (Lavandula vera), common in the south of Europe. It yields and oil used in medicine and perfumery. The Spike lavender (Lavandula Spica) yields a coarser oil (oil of spike), used in the arts.
Purple
A color that is a dark blend of red and blue; dark magenta.
Lavender
The pale, purplish color of lavender flowers, paler and more delicate than lilac.
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.
Lavender
Any of various Old World aromatic shrubs or subshrubs with usually mauve or blue flowers; widely cultivated
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
Lavender
Of a pale purple color
Purple
(by extension) Imperial power, because the colour purple was worn by emperors and kings.
Lavender
A pastel shade that evokes a sense of serenity.
The nursery was decorated in shades of lavender for a peaceful ambiance.
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
Often symbolizes royalty, luxury, and power.
The king's robe was adorned with purple jewels.
Purple
A versatile color used in art and design.
The artist created a striking purple abstract painting.
Common Curiosities
What is lavender?
Lavender is a pale, soft purple color often associated with the fragrant lavender plant.
Is lavender only a color, or does it have other meanings?
Lavender can refer to both the color and the aromatic herb, which is used in aromatherapy and as a symbol of healing.
Can lavender vary in shades?
Lavender typically refers to a specific pale, pastel shade of purple, although variations exist.
Where is purple commonly used in everyday life?
Purple is used in fashion, art, branding, and various design elements due to its versatility.
What does the color purple represent?
Purple is associated with royalty, luxury, creativity, and mystery.
What are some historical associations with purple?
Purple has been historically linked to royalty and power, symbolizing wealth and authority.
What emotions or qualities does lavender symbolize?
Lavender is often linked to serenity, relaxation, and a sense of calm.
In what contexts is lavender commonly used?
Lavender is popular in interior design, aromatherapy, and floral arrangements for its calming properties.
Is purple a single, uniform color?
No, purple encompasses a wide range of shades and intensities, from light lavender to deep violet.
What emotions or moods can purple convey?
Purple can evoke feelings of creativity, spirituality, and transformation, depending on the shade and context.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited 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.
