Meaning
purple, crimson
- crimson, purple (colour)
- Tyrian purple (dyestuff)
- purpura
- purpure
In a sentence
Questo tessuto era tinto di porpora molto cara.
This fabric was dyed with very expensive Tyrian purple.
Le nuvole al tramonto assumevano splendide sfumature di porpora.
At sunset the clouds took on splendid shades of purple.
Non mi piace quel vestito color porpora.
I don't like that purple-colored dress.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| porpora | feminine · singular |
| porpore | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- As a color word, porpora is literary or formal; everyday Italian usually prefers viola or rosso porpora for clothing and objects.
- Do not confuse porpora with porpora cardinalizia: in church contexts it can metonymically mean a cardinal's rank or robes.
- For the medical condition, porpora is technical; learners usually need it only in health or scientific contexts, not everyday conversation.