color
color Lexical Profile
color Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American The visual property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way it reflects or emits light.
"The autumn leaves turned a brilliant color of gold and crimson."
American A substance, such as a dye, pigment, or paint, that imparts a hue to something.
"The artist mixed several natural colors on her wooden palette."
American Pigmentation of the skin, especially as an indication of someone's race, ethnicity, or state of health.
"After a brisk walk in the winter air, healthy color returned to her cheeks."
American Vividness, interest, or distinctive character in a story, performance, or setting.
"The historical novel is rich in local color and period detail."
• verb
American To change the hue of something by painting, dyeing, or shading it.
"The children spent the afternoon using crayons to color the drawings."
American To influence, bias, or distort a person's judgment, opinion, or representation of facts.
"Personal experiences often color the way historians interpret past events."
American To blush or become red in the face, typically from embarrassment or emotion.
"He colored slightly when the committee praised his work in public."
Word Nuance & Usage
Spelled 'color' in American English and 'colour' in British and Commonwealth English. In the plural ('colors'), it can refer specifically to the flag or insignia of a country, regiment, or sports team.
• Rhymes for color
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'colour', borrowed from Old French 'color', from Latin 'color' ('hue, tint, complexion'), ultimately related to the Proto-Indo-European root '*kel-' meaning 'to cover' or 'conceal' (referring to a surface covering).