Definition of COLOR (original) (raw)
often attributive
1
a
: a phenomenon of light (such as red, brown, pink, or gray) or visual perception that enables one to differentiate otherwise identical objects
b(1)
: the aspect of the appearance of objects and light sources that may be described in terms of hue, lightness, and saturation (see saturation sense 4) for objects and hue, brightness, and saturation for light sources
the changing color of the sky
also : a specific combination of hue, saturation, and lightness or brightness
(2)
: a color other than and as contrasted with black, white, or gray
c
colors plural : clothing of a bright (see bright entry 1 sense 4) color : clothing that is neither dark nor light in color
Wash your colors separately from your darks and lights.
2
: something used to give color : pigment
3
a
: two or more hues employed in a medium of presentation
b
: the use or combination of colors
4
: skin pigmentation other than and especially darker than what is considered characteristic of people typically defined as white (see white entry 1 sense 2a)
The charges … allege that the social network discriminates based on color …—
Shawn Knight
—often used with of
… the policy of treating youthful offenders as adults falls most heavily on those of color.—Kristin Choo
see also [man of color](/dictionary/man of color), [person of color](/dictionary/person of color), [woman of color](/dictionary/woman of color)
5
a
: the tint characteristic of good health
… sat looking at her with wistful eyes, trying to see signs of hope in the faint color on Beth's cheeks.—Louisa May Alcott
6
a
: an identifying badge, pennant, or flag —usually used in plural
a ship sailing under Swedish colors
b
: colored clothing distinguishing one as a member of a particular group or representative of a particular person or thing —usually used in plural
a jockey wearing the colors of the stable
wore his college colors to the game
7
a
: character, nature —usually used in plural
showed himself in his true colors
b
colors plural : position as to a question or course of action : stand
… the USSR changed neither its colors nor its stripes during all of this …—Norman Mailer
8
a
: vividness or variety of effects of language
… that color and force of style which were later to make him outstanding among American editors …—Arthur Krock
10
: analysis of game action or strategy, statistics and background information on participants, and often anecdotes provided by a sportscaster to give variety and interest to the broadcast of a game or contest
11
a
: an outward often deceptive show : appearance
His story has the color of truth.
b
: a legal claim to or appearance of a right, authority, or office
acting under color of state law
d
: an appearance of authenticity : plausibility
lending color to this notion
12
colors plural
a
: a naval or nautical salute to a flag being hoisted or lowered
13
: the quality of timbre in music
the color and richness of the cello
14
: a small particle of gold in a gold miner's pan after washing
15
: a hypothetical property of quarks that differentiates each type into three forms having a distinct role in binding quarks together
1
b
: to change the color of (as by dyeing, staining, or painting)
2
: to change as if by dyeing or painting: such as
a
writings that are colored by the experiences of a remarkable childhood
"The lives of most of us have been colored by politics … "—Christine Weston
3
Call it progress; color it inevitable with shades of job security.—C. E. Price
1
: to fill in a shape or picture outlined on a piece of paper using markers, crayons, colored pencils, etc.
His granddaughter Fernanda sat at his side, coloring with crayons.—Charles Montgomery
2
: to take on color
specifically : blush
I colored at the mention of the incident.
Synonyms of color
Examples of color in a Sentence
Noun
The color of blood is red. What color are your eyes? What color paint shall we use? Blue and green are my favorite colors. The pillows are all different colors. The room needs more color. In early summer the garden is full of color. She added color to her outfit with a bright scarf. His eyes were bluish-green in color. She's using a new lip color. Verb
We colored the water with red ink. The children were busy coloring in their coloring books. My nephew colored a picture for me. The child colored the sky blue and the sun yellow.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The rooms Designed like authentic Goan houses, each with its own distinct colors and landscaping, the resort seems quiet even when full (conference groups love this place). —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026 After all, the brand is synonymous with high-quality pigments and innovative finishes, inclusive color ranges, and the kind of skin-like finish that blurs the line between backstage artistry and everyday luxury. —Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 10 May 2026
The water is colored by the tamarack tree, kind of a root-beer color, which is a beautiful balance to all the greens — and just the metaphorical symbolic significance of it is really profound. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026 In the past, white and peach-colored varieties have also been popular at the retailer. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for color
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English colour, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin color, earlier colōs "color as a physical phenomenon, pigment, complexion, appearance," probably, assuming an original meaning "covering, outermost layer, appearance," going back to *ḱel-ōs, collective derivative from an Indo-European s-stem *ḱel-os "covering" (whence perhaps Sanskrit śaras- "skin on boiled milk, cream" and, from a thematic derivative, Old High German hulisa "hull of a legume"), derivative of a verbal base *ḱel- "cover, conceal" — more at conceal
Verb
Middle English colouren, borrowed from Anglo-French colurer, going back to Latin colōrāre, derivative of color color entry 1
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of color was in the 14th century
Browse Nearby Words
Cite this Entry
“Color.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/color. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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