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noun Uncommon

pigment

PIHG-muhnt

Pigment (noun) means a substance that gives colour to something, such as paint, skin, or plant cells. Example: “Melanin is the pigment responsible for skin and hair colour.”

noun
1
A substance that gives colour to something, such as paint, skin, or plant cells.
"Melanin is the pigment responsible for skin and hair colour."
"Artists once made pigments by grinding minerals into powder."
verb
1
To add colour to something.
"The dye pigments the fabric a deep indigo."

How to Use Pigment

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA colouring substance found in paint, skin, or plants.

Common pairings
skin pigment natural pigment pigment cells

Word Forms

pigmented past tense, pigments plural, pigments singular

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Test yourself on “pigment” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Melanin is the _____ responsible for skin and hair colour.

Etymology

From Latin pigmentum, related to pingere ("to paint") — a doublet of "pimento" and "pimiento".

Origin: Latin

Related Words

Rhymes for pigment

See all rhymes for pigment →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “pigment” mean?

The word “pigment” means a substance that gives colour to something, such as paint, skin, or plant cells. In plain terms, a colouring substance found in paint, skin, or plants.

How do you pronounce “pigment”?

“Pigment” is pronounced PIHG-muhnt (/ˈpɪɡ.mənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “pigment” in a sentence?

Here is “pigment” used in a sentence: “Melanin is the pigment responsible for skin and hair colour.”

What part of speech is “pigment”?

Depending on how it is used, “pigment” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “pigment” come from?

The word “pigment” comes from Latin. From Latin pigmentum, related to pingere ("to paint") — a doublet of "pimento" and "pimiento".

Is “pigment” a common word?

“Pigment” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “pigment” have?

“Pigment” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a substance that gives colour to something, such as paint, skin, or plant cells.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial