colour
Also spelled color (US spelling)
Colour (noun) means British spelling of color: the visual quality that separates red from blue, green from yellow, and so on. Example: “She repainted the wall a soft grey colour.”
noun
1
British spelling of color: the visual quality that separates red from blue, green from yellow, and so on.
"She repainted the wall a soft grey colour."
"Her favourite colour is blue, and she wears it nearly every day."
"The autumn leaves turned every shade of colour from gold to deep red."
verb
1
British spelling of color: to add color to something.
"He coloured the map to show each region."
"The children coloured the pictures with bright felt-tip pens."
"She coloured her hair a deep red for the party."
How to use colour
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe standard British/Commonwealth spelling of "color."
UK vs US
British and Commonwealth spelling; American English drops the "u" to write "color."
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Word forms
- Plural
- colours
- Third person singular
- colours
- Past tense
- coloured
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She repainted the wall a soft grey _____.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for colour
See all rhymes for colour →Frequently asked questions
What does “colour” mean?
The word “colour” means british spelling of color: the visual quality that separates red from blue, green from yellow, and so on. In plain terms, the standard British/Commonwealth spelling of "color.".
How do you use “colour” in a sentence?
Here is “colour” used in a sentence: “She repainted the wall a soft grey colour.”
What part of speech is “colour”?
Depending on how it is used, “colour” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “colour” a common word?
“Colour” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “colour” have?
“Colour” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: british spelling of color: the visual quality that separates red from blue, green from yellow, and so on.
What is the difference between "colour" and "color"?
There is no difference in meaning, only in spelling. "Colour" is the standard British and Commonwealth form, used across the UK, Ireland, Australia, and Canada, while "color" is the American form. The same split applies to related words like colourful and coloured versus colorful and colored.
Which spelling is correct, colour or color?
Both are correct; it depends on your audience. Use "colour" for British, Australian, or Canadian readers, and "color" for an American one. The key is consistency: pick the spelling that matches your region or style guide and apply it throughout, rather than mixing the two forms.
What are the primary colours?
In traditional painting, the primary colours are red, yellow, and blue, which mix to make the others. In screens and light, the primaries are red, green, and blue (RGB), while printing uses cyan, magenta, and yellow. Which set applies depends on whether you are mixing pigments or light.
Why do British and American spellings of colour differ?
The difference dates to the early 1800s, when American lexicographer Noah Webster promoted simpler, more phonetic spellings and dropped the "u" from words like colour, honour, and favour. Britain kept the older forms, inherited from French and Latin, so the two spelling systems have diverged ever since.
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