colored

1 of 2

adjective

col·​ored ˈkə-lərd 

1

: having color

2

a

: colorful

b

: marked by exaggeration or bias

3

a

dated, usually offensive; see usage paragraph below : of a race (see race entry 1 sense 1a) other than white

especially : black entry 1 sense 2

b

dated, usually offensive; see usage paragraph below : of mixed race (see race entry 1 sense 1a)

4

dated, usually offensive; see usage paragraph below : of or relating to persons of races (see race entry 1 sense 1a) other than white or to persons of mixed race

Usage of Colored

The adjective meanings of colored relating to race were formerly in common and widespread use well into the 20th century, although attitudes toward them had changed by the 1960s. In most nonhistorical contexts, these uses of colored are now considered unacceptable; the terms Black and African American are preferred. The adjective colored remains in the full name of the NAACP (the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), a civil rights organization founded in the early 20th century. The use of colored in this name is not regarded as offensive. The adjective colored is also occasionally still used in self-reference by Black people, but its use by others is offensive.

colored

2 of 2

noun

plural colored or coloreds

often capitalized

dated, offensive; see usage paragraph below

: a person of a race (see race entry 1 sense 1a) other than white or of mixed race

Usage of Colored

The noun colored was formerly in common and widespread use well into the 20th century, although attitudes toward it had changed by the 1960s. In most nonhistorical contexts, this use of colored is now considered unacceptable.

Synonyms

Adjective

• colorful
• varied
• rainbow
• various

Examples of colored in a Sentence

Adjective

We decorated the Christmas tree with colored lights.

He gave a highly colored account of the events.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

New York — Pierre-Auguste Renoir was one of the leaders of the Impressionist school of painting, established in 1874 by a group of French artists, whose loose brushwork and brightly colored paints created a sense of spontaneity and modernity. —Jane Levere, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025

So, to find out if this is the cause, to verify the infection, go outside to your tree, and cut into the light-colored sapwood of a dying branch, and look for greenish-black streaks and discoloration. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025

Adding the brightly colored ground to the paintings gives the whole thing a lit-from-within aura. —Grace Edquist, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2025

The man is believed to have been driving a dark-colored Dodge Ram pickup, according to the park service. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025

Suede leather remains strong, especially in colored versions. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025

It was situated in an alcove, positioned in the shine of a colored light. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025

In another frame, Perry – who was wearing a dark-colored swimsuit – cozied up to Trudeau as the 53-year-old former Canadian prime minister placed his hand on her bottom. —Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025

Kenya was teased for constantly wearing colored contacts and having a fake butt. —Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1832, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing colored

• cream-colored
• flesh-colored
• off-colored
• parti-colored
• rose-colored
• rose-colored glasses
• self-colored
• straw-colored

Rhymes for colored

• discolored
• uncolored
• coloured
• multicolored

Kids Definition

colored

adjective

col·​ored

ˈkəl-ərd

1

: having color

colored pictures

2

a

usually offensive : of a race other than white

especially : black entry 1 sense 2a

—used especially in the past

b

usually offensive : of or relating to persons of mixed race or of races other than white

—used especially in the past