green
23 synonyms and 0 antonyms for green, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Having the colour of growing grass or leaves.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use green
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English grēne, from a Proto-Germanic root related to "grow" — green is, at its linguistic root, "the colour of growing things."
Full origin of green →Frequently asked questions
What does “green” mean?
The word “green” means having the colour of growing grass or leaves. In plain terms, the colour of grass and leaves; also used for inexperience, envy, or environmental concern.
How do you pronounce “green”?
“Green” is pronounced GREEN (/ˈɡɹin/ in IPA).
How do you use “green” in a sentence?
Here is “green” used in a sentence: “She painted the kitchen walls a soft sage green.”
What part of speech is “green”?
Depending on how it is used, “green” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “green” come from?
The word “green” comes from Old English. From Old English grēne, from a Proto-Germanic root related to "grow" — green is, at its linguistic root, "the colour of growing things.".
Is “green” a common word?
“Green” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “green” have?
“Green” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having the colour of growing grass or leaves.
What two colours make green?
Mixing blue and yellow makes green. In paint or other physical pigments, combining these two primary colours produces green, and adjusting the ratio shifts the shade — more yellow gives a lighter, yellow-green, while more blue gives a deeper, cooler one. Adding white or black changes its lightness.
What does the colour green symbolize?
Green is strongly linked to nature, growth, freshness, and renewal because of its connection to grass and leaves. It also signals 'go' or permission, as on traffic lights, and represents environmental awareness. Less positively, green can suggest envy, as in 'green with envy,' or inexperience.
What are the different meanings of green?
Beyond the colour, green describes a person who is new or inexperienced, as in 'a green recruit.' It also means environmentally friendly, as in green energy. It can describe unripe fruit, or someone looking pale and unwell. As a noun, a green is also a grassy public area or a putting surface.
What colour is opposite green?
On the colour wheel, red sits directly opposite green, making them complementary colours that create strong contrast when placed together — a reason the pairing stands out at Christmas. Because they balance each other, designers use red and green carefully, since side by side they can appear to vibrate.