burgundy
B2Formal to neutral; common in descriptions of colour, fashion, wine, and interior design.
Definition
Meaning
A deep red wine from the Burgundy region of France, or the dark red colour resembling this wine.
Can refer to the wine-producing region in eastern France, the style of wine produced there (primarily from Pinot Noir grapes for reds and Chardonnay for whites), or any similar dark red colour.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a colour term, it is more specific and sophisticated than 'dark red' or 'maroon'. As a wine term, it is a protected designation of origin (AOC).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is identical. Usage is largely the same, though the colour term may be slightly more frequent in UK fashion/writing.
Connotations
Both varieties associate the word with quality, richness, and sophistication in the context of wine and colour.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[colour] The walls were painted a rich burgundy.[wine] We ordered a bottle of burgundy.[region] They toured the vineyards of Burgundy.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to the word 'burgundy'.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in marketing for luxury goods (e.g., 'burgundy leather portfolio').
Academic
Appears in historical or geographical texts about France, or in art/design studies discussing colour.
Everyday
Common when describing clothing, paint colours, or wine choices.
Technical
In viticulture/oenology, refers specifically to wines from the Burgundy AOC region.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- She chose a burgundy dress for the wedding.
- The university's burgundy blazer is iconic.
American English
- He drives a burgundy sedan.
- The burgundy accent wall looks stunning.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I like the burgundy colour.
- This is red wine. It is from Burgundy.
- Her new coat is a beautiful shade of burgundy.
- We drank a French burgundy with our meal.
- The interior designer suggested burgundy cushions to complement the grey sofa.
- A good Burgundy can be quite expensive.
- The historian's treatise detailed the economic influence of the Duchy of Burgundy in the late Middle Ages.
- The sommelier detected notes of cherry and earth, characteristic of a Pinot Noir from Burgundy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Burgundy is the colour of a deep, rich red wine from Burgundy, France. Think: 'BURGundy wine is the colour of a BURGlar's rich, dark cloak.'
Conceptual Metaphor
WEALTH/QUALITY IS DARK RED (e.g., 'burgundy leather' implies luxury).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'бордовый' (bordoviy) which is a near-perfect match for the colour. The wine region 'Бургундия' (Burgundiya) is the direct translation.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'burgandy'. Using 'burgundy' to refer to any red wine (it is a specific type).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'burgundy' primarily known as?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are similar dark reds, but burgundy has a slightly purpler/winier tint, while maroon is more brownish. In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably.
Yes, but less commonly in everyday language. White Burgundy is a well-known category of Chardonnay wines from the same region.
The colour is named after the wine, which is named after the Burgundy region of France.
In British English: /ˈbɜːɡəndi/ (BUR-guhn-dee). In American English: /ˈbɜːrɡəndi/ (BUR-guhn-dee), with a more pronounced 'r' sound.