dye
deye
Dye (noun) means a substance used to change the colour of something, especially fabric or hair. Example: “She used a natural dye made from beetroot.”
noun
1
A substance used to change the colour of something, especially fabric or hair.
"She used a natural dye made from beetroot."
"The shop sells a bottle of purple dye for colouring old t-shirts."
"Be careful, because the red dye may stain your hands."
verb
1
To change the colour of something using dye.
"From there, customization simply becomes a matter of crafting trims at a smithing table, then dyeing them “using gems and ingots like diamonds, copper, and netherite.”"
— Brianna Reeves, Minecraft 1.20 update to make major changes to netherite and gold (2023)
"I found this 4-500 Mesh Nylon Strainer Flour Sieve handy and budget-friendly, especially for those who dye often and want to keep solids out of their pots effortlessly."
— Evelyn, Creative Guide to Dyeing Clothes Naturally with Fruits and Vegetables at Home (2025)
"He dyed his hair bright blue for the festival."
"We dye the eggs a bright colour every spring."
"She is dyeing the curtains green to match the new sofa."
"You look different. Have you had your hair dyed?"
How to use dye
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA colouring substance, or the act of colouring something with it.
Common mistake
Easily confused with "die" (to stop living) since they sound identical — remember "dye" changes colour, and its "-ing" form is "dyeing," not "dying."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
hair dye
dye a fabric
dyed blue
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like dye.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- dyes
- Third person singular
- dyes
- Past tense
- dyed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She used a natural _____ made from beetroot.
Etymology
From Old English dēah/dēag, "colour" or "hue," ultimately from a root meaning "to conceal" or "be dark" — the same root behind "dusk."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for dye
See all rhymes for dye →Frequently asked questions
What does “dye” mean?
The word “dye” means a substance used to change the colour of something, especially fabric or hair. In plain terms, a colouring substance, or the act of colouring something with it.
How do you pronounce “dye”?
“Dye” is pronounced deye (/daɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “dye” in a sentence?
Here is “dye” used in a sentence: “She used a natural dye made from beetroot.”
What is another word for “dye”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dye” include colorant and tincture.
What part of speech is “dye”?
Depending on how it is used, “dye” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “dye” come from?
The word “dye” comes from Old English. From Old English dēah/dēag, "colour" or "hue," ultimately from a root meaning "to conceal" or "be dark" — the same root behind "dusk.".
Is “dye” a common word?
“Dye” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “dye” have?
“Dye” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a substance used to change the colour of something, especially fabric or hair.
What is the difference between dye and paint?
Dye penetrates and chemically bonds with a material, such as fabric or hair, permanently changing its colour from within. Paint, by contrast, sits on top of a surface as a coating rather than soaking into it.
What is the difference between dye and stain?
Dye is typically used to change the colour of fabric, hair, or similar absorbent materials, while stain more often refers to colouring wood or highlighting its natural grain. Both work by being absorbed into the material, but they are associated with different uses.
How do you use dye as a verb correctly?
As a verb, dye means to change the colour of something using dye, as in 'she dyed her hair red.' Note the spelling difference from dying (from die), since dyeing keeps the 'e' to avoid confusion with the unrelated word.
