puce

American  

[pyoos] / pyus /

adjective

1. of a dark or brownish purple.

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noun

1. a dark or brownish purple.

puce British  

/ pjuːs /

noun

1. 1. a colour varying from deep red to dark purplish-brown

   2. ( as adjective )

      a puce carpet

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Etymology

Origin of puce

1780–90; < French: literally, flea < Latin pūlic-, stem of pūlex

Example Sentences

The area around Kings Cross and Euston was bedecked in blue shirts, the odd kilt and a lot of puce flesh as Thursday dragged on.

From The Guardian

In the UK, the term “gammon” gained currency in the early 2010s as a pejorative apparently inspired by the puce skin tone of enraged, middle-aged middle Englanders.

From The Guardian

Lambert spent most of his time doing shuttle runs along the edge of the technical area, jawing in the ear of the fourth official, his face turning a curious shade of puce.

From The Guardian

The discrepancy is like the scene in The Wizard of Oz when the curtain is drawn away to reveal the wrinkly, puce old fool working the levers.

From The Guardian

In New York, he had walls of his salon painted puce to show dark clothes, and in navy to display his lighter-colored designs.

From New York Times

Related Words

• cardinal
• coral
• crimson
• flaming
• glowing
• maroon
• rose
• wine