Illustration of periwinkle
- periwinkle a
per·i·win·kle
ˈper-i-ˌwiŋ-kəl 
1
: any of several trailing or woody evergreen herbs of the dogbane family: such as
a(1)
: a European creeper (Vinca minor) widely cultivated as a ground cover and for its blue or white flowers
called also myrtle
(2)
: a trailing plant (Vinca major) with large blue flowers that is used as a ground cover and in window boxes
b
2
: a light purplish blue
called also periwinkle blue
: any of various gastropod mollusks: such as
a
: any of a genus (Littorina) of edible littoral marine snails
also
: any of various similar or related marine snails
b
: any of several North American freshwater snails
Examples of periwinkle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024
This year’s mixer is an iridescent periwinkle called Blue Salt.
—Anna Kramer, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2024
Anemones, sea stars, urchins, barnacles, periwinkles and other marine creatures inhabit the park’s tide pools — some of the best in Southern California.
—Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024
Shoppers can choose from 12 colors, including green, periwinkle blue, and sage.
—Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 8 Feb. 2024
At previous premieres for the film, Emma Stone has gone for similarly delicate gowns, like the below silver slip dress accented with a periwinkle shawl, worn to a U.K. screening in December.
—Lindy Segal, Glamour, 8 Jan. 2024
Enlarge / An example of a Littorina species, the common periwinkle.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 6 Jan. 2024
The model, ex-girlfriend of Scott Disick, and daughter of former Real Housewife of Beverly Hills Lisa Rinna wore sheer periwinkle Alaïa to the CFDA Fashion Awards on November 6, ensuring that the sheer-dress trend survives another day.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 7 Nov. 2023
Buy it in either linen for a classic look or periwinkle for a touch of color.
—Lauren Taylor, Southern Living, 17 Nov. 2023
Noun
Her custom periwinkle Armani Privé had plenty of dazzling details, including a plunging neckline, feather detail around the waist and hemline and jewels for days.
—Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024
This year’s mixer is an iridescent periwinkle called Blue Salt.
—Anna Kramer, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2024
Anemones, sea stars, urchins, barnacles, periwinkles and other marine creatures inhabit the park’s tide pools — some of the best in Southern California.
—Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024
Shoppers can choose from 12 colors, including green, periwinkle blue, and sage.
—Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 8 Feb. 2024
At previous premieres for the film, Emma Stone has gone for similarly delicate gowns, like the below silver slip dress accented with a periwinkle shawl, worn to a U.K. screening in December.
—Lindy Segal, Glamour, 8 Jan. 2024
Enlarge / An example of a Littorina species, the common periwinkle.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 6 Jan. 2024
The model, ex-girlfriend of Scott Disick, and daughter of former Real Housewife of Beverly Hills Lisa Rinna wore sheer periwinkle Alaïa to the CFDA Fashion Awards on November 6, ensuring that the sheer-dress trend survives another day.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 7 Nov. 2023
Buy it in either linen for a classic look or periwinkle for a touch of color.
—Lauren Taylor, Southern Living, 17 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'periwinkle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near periwinkle
Cite this Entry
“Periwinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periwinkle. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
periwinkle
1 of 2 noun
per·i·win·kle
ˈper-i-ˌwiŋ-kəl
: an evergreen herb that spreads along the ground and has shiny leaves and blue or white flowers
periwinkle
2 of 2 noun1
: any of various small edible marine snails of coastal regions
2
: the shell of a periwinkle
Etymology
Noun
Old English perwince "periwinkle vine," from Latin pervinca (same meaning)
Noun
Old English pinewincle "an edible sea snail"
Medical Definition
periwinkle
noun
per·i·win·kle
ˈper-i-ˌwiŋ-kəl
: any of several trailing or woody evergreen plants of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae)
especially
: rosy periwinkle
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