Auburn

/ˈɔːbərn/

adjectiveBeginner📊CommonColor
1 meaning1 question

Definitions

1

Having a reddish-brown color.

/ˈɔːbərn/

adjectiveneutralBeginner
Color

Of a reddish-brown color, especially of hair.

His auburn beard contrasted sharply with his pale skin.

💡 Simply: Reddish-brown.

More Examples

2

The horse's coat was a rich, auburn hue.

How It's Used

Descriptive

"She had beautiful, auburn hair."

From Old French aubrune, from a derivative of Latin ruber ('red'). Originally referred to a reddish-brown color of hair, then extended to other contexts.

Historically, the term was more specifically used for reddish-brown hair, with less emphasis on the brown component.

Memory tip

Think of 'burn' and the reddish tones of something burned.

Word Origin

Original meaning

"red"

auburn hairauburn leaves

Common misspellings

aubernauburnnauurn

Usage

20%Spoken
80%Written