hue

noun

ˈhyü 

1

: overall character or appearance to the mind : complexion, aspect

political parties of every hue

—Louis Wasserman

2

a

: color

all the hues of the rainbow

b

: gradation of color

the hues and shades of twilight

—Colin Clark

c

: the attribute of colors that permits them to be classed as red, yellow, green, blue, or an intermediate between any contiguous pair of these colors

red with an orange hue

compare brightness sense 2, lightness sense 2a, saturation sense 4

Synonyms

• cast
• color
• shade
• tincture
• tinge
• tint
• tone

Examples of hue in a Sentence

We decorated the room in hues of blue and green.

decorated the room in hues of blue and green

Recent Examples on the Web

Shoppers can choose from 35 hues and patterns, including neutrals like cream and navy blue, as well as pastels like sky blue and lavender. —Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 28 Apr. 2024

The Frame offers strong color performance, bringing your favorite artwork to life with vibrant hues. —Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 26 Apr. 2024

Try a denim skirt that isn’t too long with a denim jacket in the same hue of blue or opt for a mixed-blue combo to add more dimension to your outfit. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 25 Apr. 2024

The root lent the smoothie a bright, peppery flavor—not to mention its anti-inflammatory powers—and made the fruits’ yellow hues even sunnier. —Romy Gill, Saveur, 24 Apr. 2024

As with so much else, no one knows the source of these breathtaking hues. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 24 Apr. 2024

Our work introduced a two-dimensional skin tone scale to enable AI developers to identify biases along light versus dark tones and red versus yellow hues going forward. —Alice Xiang, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024

Threaded through these hues are lines showing the directions of magnetic force in the clouds. —Dennis Overbye, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024

The gray hue continues in the curtains and marble countertops, shining against the room's creamy trim. —Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hewe, from Old English hīw; akin to Old Norse hȳ plant down, Goth hiwi form

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hue

• hue and cry

Kids Definition

hue

noun

ˈhyü 

1

: color sense 1

2

: a particular variety of a color : shade

3

: an aspect of colors that allows them to be identified as red, yellow, green, blue, or something between any two of these colors

Medical Definition

hue

noun

ˈhyü 

: the one of the three psychological dimensions of color perception that permits them to be classified as red, yellow, green, blue, or an intermediate between any contiguous pair of these colors and that is correlated with the wavelength or the combination of wavelengths comprising the stimulus compare brightness, saturation sense 4a

Geographical Definition

Hue

geographical name

ˈ(h)wā 

hü-ˈā,

hyü-ˈā

variants or French Hué

city and port in central Vietnam; formerly capital of Annam population 302,983