maroon

Maroon is a dark reddish-brown color. It is typically described as a red that has been deepened with brown, yielding a rich, muted shade. In digital color systems, maroon is often represented by values around hex 800000, though many variations exist from deep burgundy to almost chocolate hues.

The name derives from the French marron, meaning chestnut, from the Italian marrone, reflecting the color's chestnut-brown undertones. The term has long been used in English to describe similar brownish reds and occurs in art, fashion, and heraldry.

Maroon is situated between red and brown on the color spectrum; it is deeper and less bright than pure red and usually has less purple than burgundy. Variants range from lighter, more sunset-toned maroons to near-black, oxblood-like shades. It is commonly used in uniforms, formal wear, and school or corporate branding where a serious or traditional tone is desired.

Beyond color, maroon also appears in historical usage as a noun describing communities of escaped enslaved people in the Americas, known as Maroons. The term is etymologically distinct from the color usage, though both derive from words related to chestnut and brown in historical languages.