umber
umber Lexical Profile
umber Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A natural brown or reddish-brown earth pigment containing iron and manganese oxides, used in paints in either its natural state (raw umber) or after heating (burnt umber).
"The Renaissance painter mixed raw umber with linseed oil to create deep, natural shadows in the portrait."
A dark yellowish-brown or reddish-brown color characteristic of umber pigment.
"The ceramic glaze fired to a rich, warm umber around the rim of the bowl."
• adjective
Of a dark yellowish-brown or reddish-brown color resembling raw or burnt umber.
"The autumn hills were cloaked in umber foliage beneath a pale gray sky."
• verb
To color, stain, or darken with umber or a dark brown hue.
"The cabinetmaker umbered the oak panels to give the library a stately, antique appearance."
• Rhymes for umber
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 16th century from French 'terre d'ombre' or Italian 'terra d'ombra' (literally 'earth of shadow'), from Latin 'umbra' ('shadow'), possibly influenced by 'Umbria', the region in central Italy where the pigment was originally mined.