# heather

/ˈhɛðɝ/ (US) · /hˈɛðɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/heather
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the plant

noun · CEFR B2

a low wild plant with small purple, pink, or white flowers that grows on hills and open land.

For teachers: a low-growing evergreen shrub, specifically Calluna vulgaris, characterized by small scale-like leaves and clusters of tiny flowers, typically found on acidic moorland.

- The hills were covered in purple heather as far as the eye could see.
- The vast expanses of the Scottish Highlands are famous for their dense carpets of wild heather, which bloom vibrantly in late summer.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the plant in general; countable when referring to specific varieties.

Teaching tip: Often associated with Scotland and northern landscapes in literature and travel writing.

### 2. mixed color in fabric

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a mix of different colored threads in a fabric that creates a speckled or soft look.

For teachers: a multi-colored effect in yarn or fabric produced by blending fibers of different colors before spinning.

- He wore a soft heather sweater that matched his grey trousers.
- The designer chose a heather wool for the winter collection to provide a more textured and organic appearance than solid-dyed fabrics.

Usage: Often used as a modifier before another noun like 'grey' or 'purple'.

Teaching tip: In the fashion industry, this refers to the texture of the color rather than just the purple hue of the plant.

### 3. purple-pink color

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

having a light purple color with a hint of pink or blue.

For teachers: denoting a pale purple color with pinkish or bluish undertones, resembling the flowers of the heather plant.

- She chose a heather purple paint for the bedroom walls.
- The evening sky turned a soft heather shade just before the sun disappeared behind the mountains.

Usage: Usually non-gradable when used as a specific color term.

## Examples

- The hills are covered in purple heather during the summer.
- We spent the afternoon hiking through the thick heather on the Scottish moors.
- The landscape was a vibrant tapestry of blooming heather and gorse, providing a hardy habitat for the local wildlife despite the thin, nutrient-poor soil.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.