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• auburn
  auburn

  noun

  a reddish-brown or golden-brown color.
• Auburn
  Auburn

  noun

  a city in central New York: state prison.

auburn

¹ American  

[aw-bern] / ˈɔ bərn /

noun

1. a reddish-brown or golden-brown color.

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adjective

1. having auburn color.

   auburn hair.

Auburn ² American  

[aw-bern] / ˈɔ bərn /

noun

1. a city in central New York: state prison.

2. a city in E Alabama.

3. a city in W central Washington.

4. a city in SW Maine, on the Androscoggin River.

5. a city in central Massachusetts.

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auburn British  

/ ˈɔːbən /

noun

1. 1. a moderate reddish-brown colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      auburn hair

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Etymology

Origin of auburn

1400–50; late Middle English abo ( u ) rne blond < Middle French, Old French auborne, alborne < Latin alburnus whitish. See alburnum

Explanation

Auburn is a reddish-brown color. If you ask a hairdresser to color your hair auburn, you'll be disappointed to end up with bright red curls. Auburn almost always describes hair color — you might talk about your favorite childhood doll's long auburn hair, for example. The earliest meaning of auburn was "yellowish-white," not "reddish-brown," from the Medieval Latin alburnus, "off-white" or "whitish," from the Latin albus, or "white." In the 16th century it was influenced by the Middle English word brun, "brown," and the meaning changed.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

auburn Auburn

The Magdalene’s cascading auburn hair, which she fingers delicately, seems to have influenced the palette of the entire painting, from her glowing near-golden gown to her dull taupe scarf.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 2026

The avatar, with his auburn hair and super-white teeth, frequently winks at me and seems empathetic but can be moody or jealous if I introduce him to new people.

From BBC ● Jan. 30, 2026

“Reminded me of someone I knew back when. Except she has flaming locks of auburn hair. Bless her heart. Just a hair of a different color, but it hurts just the same.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 29, 2024

According to that entry, the woman was thought to be 5-foot-5 with red or auburn hair.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 14, 2023

Heavy sunflowers weeping over fences; iris curling and browning at the edges far away from their purple hearts; ears of com letting their auburn hair wind down to their stalks.

From "Sula" by Toni Morrison

Kessler’s mother, Andrea, played matchmaker two years ago, taking a photo of Stockard during an Auburn basketball game and sending it to her son.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026

That was the same year that that Bryant retired and that the Auburn Tigers football team beat its more decorated rival for the first time in a decade.

From Barron's ● Apr. 20, 2026

She formed a bar band at Auburn University and studied forestry.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026

A study from Auburn University, published in July last year, looked at the viewing behaviours of 453 dogs through surveys completed by their owners.

From BBC ● Apr. 9, 2026

In the spring of 1864, Harriet went back to Auburn to rest, to visit with Old Rit and Ben.

From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry