adjective
greenish
GREE-nish
Greenish (adjective) means Somewhat green in colour. Example: “The old paint on the fence had faded to a greenish grey.”
adjective
1
Somewhat green in colour.
"The old paint on the fence had faded to a greenish grey."
"She wore a greenish jumper that matched her eyes."
"The pond water looked slightly greenish in the afternoon light."
How to use greenish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA bit green, but not fully or strongly so.
When to use it
It is a neutral, everyday word suitable for both speech and writing.
Memory tip
Add -ish to many basic colour words in the same way, such as bluish or reddish, to mean 'somewhat that colour.'
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
greenish tinge
greenish hue
greenish light
slightly greenish
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like greenish.
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
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old paint on the fence had faded to a _____ grey.
Etymology
The word comes from Middle English forms such as grenisch and grenysch, built by adding the suffix -ish to green. The suffix softens the colour term to mean partly or somewhat that colour.
Synonyms
View more →
greeny
green
Related words
Rhymes for greenish
See all rhymes for greenish →Frequently asked questions
What does greenish mean?
It means somewhat green, rather than a pure or strong green.
Is greenish a real word?
Yes, it is a standard English adjective formed from green and the suffix -ish, and it has been in use since Middle English.
How do you use greenish in a sentence?
Use it before a noun or after a linking verb to describe something with a hint of green, such as 'a greenish tinge' or 'the sky looked greenish.'
What is the meaning of greenish?
"greenish" (adjective) means somewhat green in colour.
