Mauve vs. Pink — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 7, 2023
Mauve is a pale purple color with a grayish tone, while pink is any of a range of colors from light crimson to pale red.
Difference Between Mauve and Pink
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Mauve is a color that carries a subtle and muted tone, a blend of gray and purple that evokes a sense of sophistication and quiet elegance. In comparison, pink is often associated with sweetness, innocence, and is brighter in nature. The color mauve might be used in design to convey a vintage or nostalgic feel, whereas pink might be used to inject a playful, vibrant, or tender atmosphere.
When considering the color mauve, one might think of lavender fields at dusk, a color that is understated yet complex. Pink, on the other hand, often brings to mind the blush on a child's cheeks or the inside of a seashell, implying a more straightforward and cheerful color profile. Mauve is typically considered more adult and serious, while pink is accessible and often associated with youthfulness and joy.
In the fashion industry, a mauve dress might be chosen for its ability to stand out subtly and elegantly. Pink garments, on the other hand, might be selected to make a bolder statement that captures attention with their brightness. Mauve can be seen as more reserved and sophisticated, while pink is direct and playful.
The use of mauve in home decor can create a serene and tranquil space, as it often pairs well with other muted tones and natural materials. Pink in interior design can range from a pale, soft hue that adds a touch of warmth to a room, to a bright, bold pink that creates a sense of energy and fun. Each color, therefore, has its own place depending on the mood one wishes to create.
In the floral world, mauve flowers, such as some varieties of roses or lilacs, can give a garden a touch of antique charm. Pink flowers, like peonies or cherry blossoms, bring a burst of freshness and vivacity. Mauve blooms might be chosen for their subtlety and complexity, while pink blooms are often a favorite for their classic beauty and charm.
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Comparison Chart
Shade
Pale purple with gray tones
Range of light crimson to pale red
Emotional Association
Sophistication, nostalgia, elegance
Playfulness, sweetness, innocence
Common Uses
Vintage themes, sophisticated design
Youthful themes, vibrant design
Complementary Colors
Greens, deep purples, and neutral tones
Greens, blues, and contrasting yellows
Cultural Significance
Often seen as more mature and subdued
Commonly associated with femininity and romance
Compare with Definitions
Mauve
A color of muted sophistication
The bridesmaids wore mauve, complementing the autumn theme.
Pink
Pink is a color that is a pale tint of red and is named after a flower of the same name. It was first used as a color name in the late 17th century.
Mauve
Slightly grayish tone
Her dress was a subtle shade of mauve, perfect for the evening.
Pink
Of a colour intermediate between red and white, as of coral or salmon
Her face was pink with embarrassment
Bright pink lipstick
Mauve
A vintage color
Antique lace is often found tinted in shades of mauve.
Pink
Having or showing left-wing tendencies
Pink politicians
Mauve
Mauve ( (listen), mohv; (listen), mawv) is a pale purple color named after the mallow flower (French: mauve). The first use of the word mauve as a color was in 1796–98 according to the Oxford English Dictionary, but its use seems to have been rare before 1859.
Pink
Of or associated with homosexuals
A boom in the pink economy
The pink pound
Mauve
Of a pale purple colour
Blossoms with mauve and white petals
Pink
Pink colour, pigment, or material
Soft pastel shades of pink and blue
Mauve
A pale purple colour
A few pale streaks of mauve were all that remained of the sunset
Glowing with soft pastel mauves and pinks
Pink
The best condition or degree
The economy is not in the pink of health
Mauve
A pale purple aniline dye prepared by William H. Perkin in 1856. It was the first synthetic dyestuff.
Pink
A herbaceous Eurasian plant with sweet-smelling pink or white flowers and slender, typically grey-green leaves.
Mauve
A moderate grayish violet to reddish purple.
Pink
A small square-rigged sailing ship, typically with a narrow, overhanging stern.
Mauve
(historical) A bright purple synthetic dye.
Pink
A yellowish lake pigment made by combining vegetable colouring matter with a white base.
Mauve
The colour of this dye; a pale purple or violet colour.
Pink
Become pink
Cheryl's cheeks pinked with sudden excitement
Mauve
Having a pale purple colour.
Pink
Shear (a sheep) so closely that the colour of the skin is visible
McFowler pinked every sheep and never drew blood
Mauve
A color of a delicate purple, violet, or lilac.
Pink
Cut a scalloped or zigzag edge on
I pinked the edge of the fabric
Mauve
A moderate purple
Pink
Decorate
April pinked the earth with flowers
Mauve
Of a pale to moderate grayish violet color
Pink
(of a vehicle engine) make a series of rattling sounds as a result of over-rapid combustion of the fuel–air mixture in the cylinders
The car was inclined to pink slightly in accelerating from a low engine speed
Mauve
A pale purple color
The mauve curtains added a soft touch to the gray room.
Pink
Any of a group of colors reddish in hue, of medium to high lightness, and of low to moderate saturation.
Mauve
A nineteenth-century dye discovery
Mauve became popular after the first synthetic dye was created.
Pink
Any of various plants of the genus Dianthus, such as sweet William, often cultivated for their showy, fragrant, usually pink, red, or white flowers. Also called dianthus.
Pink
Any of several other plants in the pink family, such as the wild pink.
Pink
A flower of any of these plants.
Pink
The highest or best degree
In the pink of health.
Pink
Light-colored trousers formerly worn as part of the winter semidress uniform by US Army officers.
Pink
The scarlet coat worn by fox hunters.
Pink
(Slang)A pinko.
Pink
A small sailing vessel with a sharply narrowed stern and an overhanging transom.
Pink
Of the color pink.
Pink
(Slang)Having moderately leftist political opinions.
Pink
To stab lightly with a pointed weapon; prick.
Pink
To decorate with a perforated pattern.
Pink
To cut with pinking shears.
Pink
(regional) The common minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus.
Pink
(regional) A young Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, before it becomes a smolt; a parr.
Pink
A narrow boat.
Pink
(obsolete) A small hole made by puncturing something, as with a rapier, dagger, or pinking iron.
Pink
(obsolete) A small hole or puncture made by a sharp, slender instrument such as a rapier, poniard or dagger, or (by extension) a bullet; a stab.
Pink
(obsolete) A small hole or eyelet punched in a garment for decoration, as with a pinking iron; a scallop.
Pink
Any of various flowers in the genus Dianthus, sometimes called carnations.
This garden in particular has a beautiful bed of pinks.
Pink
(dated) A perfect example; excellence, perfection; the embodiment of some quality.
Your hat, madam, is the very pink of fashion.
Pink
(color) The colour of this flower, between red and white; pale red.
My new dress is a wonderful shade of pink.
Pink
Hunting pink; scarlet, as worn by hunters.
Pink
(snooker) One of the colour balls used in snooker, coloured pink, with a value of 6 points.
Oh dear, he's left himself snookered behind the pink.
Pink
(slang) An unlettered and uncultured, but relatively prosperous, member of the middle classes; compare Babbitt, bourgeoisie.
Pink
(slang) The vagina or vulva.
Pink
(historical) Any of various lake#Etymology 4 pigments or dyes in yellow, yellowish green, or brown shades made with plant coloring and a metallic oxide base.
Pink
To decorate a piece of clothing or fabric by adding holes or by scalloping the fringe.
Pink
To prick with a sword.
Pink
To wound by irony, criticism, or ridicule.
Pink
(intransitive) To become pink in color, to redden.
Pink
(transitive) To turn (something) pink.
Pink
(transitive) To turn (a topaz or other gemstone) pink by the application of heat.
Pink
Of a motor car, to emit a high "pinking" noise, usually as a result of ill-set ignition timing for the fuel used (in a spark ignition engine).
Pink
Of a musical instrument, to sound a very high-pitched, short note.
Pink
(obsolete) To wink; to blink.
Pink
Having a colour between red and white; pale red.
Pink
Of a fox-hunter's jacket: scarlet.
Pink
Having conjunctivitis.
Pink
(obsolete) By comparison to red (communist), describing someone who sympathizes with the ideals of communism without actually being a Russian-style communist: a pinko.
Pink
(informal) Relating to women or girls.
Pink job
Pink
(informal) Relating to homosexuals as a group within society.
The pink economy
Pink pound
Pink dollar
Pink triangle
Pink
(obsolete) Half-shut; winking.
Pink
A vessel with a very narrow stern; - called also pinky.
Pink
A stab.
Pink
A name given to several plants of the caryophyllaceous genus Dianthus, and to their flowers, which are sometimes very fragrant and often double in cultivated varieties. The species are mostly perennial herbs, with opposite linear leaves, and handsome five-petaled flowers with a tubular calyx.
Pink
A color resulting from the combination of a pure vivid red with more or less white; - so called from the common color of the flower.
Pink
Anything supremely excellent; the embodiment or perfection of something.
Pink
The European minnow; - so called from the color of its abdomen in summer.
Pink
To wink; to blink.
Pink
To pierce with small holes; to cut the edge of, as cloth or paper, in small scallops or angles.
Pink
To stab; to pierce as with a sword.
Pink
To choose; to cull; to pick out.
Pink
Half-shut; winking.
Pink
Resembling the garden pink in color; of the color called pink (see 6th Pink, 2); as, a pink dress; pink ribbons.
Pink
A light shade of red
Pink
Any of various flowers of plants of the genus Dianthus cultivated for their fragrant flowers
Pink
Make light, repeated taps on a surface;
He was tapping his fingers on the table impatiently
Pink
Sound like a car engine that is firing too early;
The car pinged when I put in low-octane gasoline
The car pinked when the ignition was too far retarded
Pink
Cut in a zig-zag pattern with pinking shears, in sewing
Pink
Of a light shade of red
Pink
A light red hue
She decorated her room with pink balloons for the party.
Pink
A color associated with sweetness
The pink icing on the cupcakes looked delicious.
Pink
Often used to signify femininity
The invitation was printed on pink cardstock.
Pink
A cheerful and vibrant color
His tie was a bright shade of pink.
Pink
A soft color for a calming effect
The nursery was painted in a gentle, soothing pink.
Common Curiosities
Can men wear pink?
Absolutely, pink can be a fashionable choice for anyone.
Is mauve a natural color?
Mauve does occur in nature but was popularized by synthetic dyes.
Is mauve an old-fashioned color?
While it has vintage connotations, mauve is still modern and relevant.
Does pink have different cultural meanings?
Yes, pink's symbolism can vary widely across different cultures.
What colors complement mauve?
Mauve pairs well with olive green, other purples, and earthy neutrals.
Are there many shades of mauve?
Yes, mauve can range from more grayish tones to more purple ones.
Can mauve be a warm color?
Mauve is generally cool due to its purple and gray undertones.
Is pink a strong color for branding?
Yes, due to its high visibility and distinctiveness, pink stands out in branding.
Are there any flowers that are naturally mauve?
Yes, there are several flowers with natural mauve hues, like some orchids and lilacs.
Is mauve considered a neutral color?
Mauve can act as a neutral, especially in muted design palettes.
Does pink always mean feminine?
No, while culturally associated with femininity, pink's use is diverse and not gender-specific.
Is mauve suitable for all seasons?
Mauve is versatile and can be adapted to any season's palette.
What emotions does pink evoke?
Pink often evokes feelings of love, care, and playfulness.
Does pink work well in all designs?
Pink is versatile, but its use depends on the desired impact of the design.
Can pink be used in professional settings?
Yes, when used appropriately, pink can be professional.
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Written 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.
