brunette

American  

[broo-net] / bruˈnɛt /

adjective

1. (of hair, eyes, skin, etc.) of a dark color or tone.

2. (of a person) having dark hair and, often, dark eyes and darkish or olive skin.

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noun

1. a person, especially a female, with such coloration.

brunette British  

/ bruːˈnɛt /

noun

1. a girl or woman with dark brown hair

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adjective

1. dark brown

   brunette hair

Other Word Forms

• brunetteness noun

Etymology

Origin of brunette

1705–15; < French; feminine of brunet

Example Sentences

"I am returning to the big ice," the skater from Kazan announced on Telegram earlier this month, her formerly brunette hair now streaked with blonde highlights.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

“People think I’m on drugs because of my appearance,” says Joe H., a lanky, long-haired brunette holding an electric guitar on his lap.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

The singer and actress, 32, has recently swapped her signature, Glinda-era blonde locks with a brunette tone, sending fans wild on social media.

From BBC • Nov. 10, 2025

The sketch also featured Tina Fey playing Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem with genuinely funny jokes: “I’m the rarest type of person in Washington, D.C.: A brunette that Donald Trump listens to.”

From Salon • Oct. 13, 2025

Maya stood out in every single photo, the one brunette in a family of redheads, her smile getting less and less full over the years.

From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway