color
KUHL-uh
Also spelled colour (UK spelling)
Color (noun) means the visual quality of light that lets us tell red from blue, green from yellow, and so on. Example: “The walls were painted a warm yellow, a color that made the room feel bright.”
noun
1
The visual quality of light that lets us tell red from blue, green from yellow, and so on.
"The walls were painted a warm yellow, a color that made the room feel bright."
"She painted the fence a bright shade of blue, her favorite color."
"The artist mixed several colors to get the exact shade of sunset orange."
2
A person's skin tone, especially as it relates to race or ethnicity.
"Everyone deserves respect, whatever their color or where their family comes from."
"The school teaches pupils that a person's color should never decide how they are treated."
"The organization campaigns for equal treatment regardless of color."
3
Interesting or lively detail that makes something more vivid or engaging.
"The travel writer's essay was full of color, from market smells to street musicians."
"A few funny anecdotes would add some color to your wedding speech."
"The commentator added color to the broadcast with stories about each player."
verb
1
To add color to something, often with crayons, paint, or dye.
"Would you like to color this dragon with the new felt pens?"
"The kids colored the pictures in their activity books."
"She colored her hair a deep auburn for the wedding."
How to use color
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhat we call red, blue, green, and every hue in between — or the act of adding those hues to something.
UK vs US
American English uses "color"; British English (and most Commonwealth countries) use "colour." Same word, different spelling convention.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
bright color
color scheme
primary colors
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Word forms
- Plural
- colors
- Third person singular
- colors
- Past tense
- colored
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The walls were painted a warm yellow, a _____ that made the room feel bright.
Etymology
From Old French colour/color, from Latin color. This American spelling was popularized by Noah Webster to match the Latin root more directly than the British "colour."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
colorlessness
discolor
decolor
Related words
Rhymes for color
See all rhymes for color →Frequently asked questions
What does “color” mean?
The word “color” means the visual quality of light that lets us tell red from blue, green from yellow, and so on. In plain terms, what we call red, blue, green, and every hue in between — or the act of adding those hues to something.
How do you pronounce “color”?
“Color” is pronounced KUHL-uh (/ˈkʌl.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “color” in a sentence?
Here is “color” used in a sentence: “She painted the fence a bright shade of blue, her favorite color.”
What is another word for “color”?
Words with a similar meaning to “color” include blee, hue, shade, tincture and tint.
What is the opposite of “color”?
The opposite of “color” — its antonyms — is decolor.
What part of speech is “color”?
Depending on how it is used, “color” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “color” come from?
The word “color” comes from Latin. From Old French colour/color, from Latin color. This American spelling was popularized by Noah Webster to match the Latin root more directly than the British "colour.".
Is “color” a common word?
“Color” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between color and colour?
There is no difference in meaning — they are the same word spelled two ways. 'Color' is the American spelling, while 'colour' is used in British, Irish, Australian, and most Commonwealth English. Choose one and stay consistent within a piece of writing; neither is more correct than the other.
What are the primary colors?
In traditional painting, the primary colors are red, yellow, and blue, which mix to make all others. In light, used by screens and stage lighting, they are red, green, and blue. Printing uses cyan, magenta, and yellow. Which set applies depends on whether you are mixing pigment or light.
What is the difference between warm and cool colors?
Warm colors — reds, oranges, and yellows — suggest heat, energy, and closeness, like fire or sunlight. Cool colors — blues, greens, and purples — feel calm and distant, like water or shade. Designers use the contrast to set mood, create depth, and guide where the eye goes.
Can colors affect mood?
Many people find that colors influence how they feel: blue and green tend to calm, red can energise or alarm, and yellow often lifts the spirits. This is the basis of colour psychology, widely used in design and branding, though reactions are shaped by culture and personal experience as much as biology.
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