ocher
ocher Lexical Profile
ocher Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American An earthy, natural mineral pigment composed of hydrated iron oxide mixed with varying amounts of clay and sand, ranging in color from pale yellow to deep orange or brown.
"Prehistoric artists ground red and yellow ocher into powder to paint vivid scenes on cave walls."
American A moderate brownish-yellow to orange-yellow color characteristic of iron-rich earth pigments.
"The autumn leaves turned shades of russet, gold, and deep ocher before falling."
• adjective
American Of a moderate to pale brownish-yellow or yellowish-orange color.
"The afternoon sunlight cast a warm, ocher glow across the adobe walls of the village."
• verb
American To color, stain, or coat a surface with ocher pigment.
"The artisans carefully ochered the plastered walls to give the courtyard an earthy warmth."
Word Nuance & Usage
Spelled "ocher" primarily in American English and "ochre" in British and Commonwealth English, though "ochre" is also widely used in American art and geological contexts.
• Rhymes for ocher
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed into Middle English via Old French "ocre" and Latin "ochra", ultimately from Ancient Greek "ōchra" (yellow earth), derived from "ōchros" meaning pale yellow or wan.