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. Attitudes toward them had changed, however, by the 1960s. Although colored is still occasionally used in self-reference by and between Black people, the adjective as used by others is offensive; the terms Black and African American are preferred. 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.

colored

2 of 2

noun

variants often Colored

plural colored or coloreds

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 of colored

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

In a clip shared on Instagram, the heavy downpour is seen mixing with the deeply colored earth, bringing deep red sediment downhill and into the ocean. —Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025

Brightly colored marigold flowers complement the shades of developing bell and hot pepper fruit, but peppers also benefit from marigolds’ pest-repelling properties. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2025

In early 2024, Fox debuted his newest sneakers — a custom turquoise and yellow pair of Under Armour shoes paying homage to his favorite brightly colored taco truck, The Bee reported at the time. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 18 Dec. 2025

Project officials say a pair of pants, loafers, a 10-karat gold ring with a ruby-colored stone and coins dating between 1965 and 1992 were found near the remains, which were initially believed to be those of a man between the ages of 40 and 55. —Stephen Swanson, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025

Bass-music mystic Shackleton and GNOD’s Marlene Ribeiro drizzled down dubby, vividly colored psychedelia on The Rising Wave. —Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 16 Dec. 2025

Chartou Double-breasted Wool Overcoat The red-burgundy shade of the Chartou Wool Overcoat doesn’t stand a chance against the neutral-colored coats in your closet. —Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 15 Dec. 2025

Spread the dreidels with colored frosting, then use white hard-drying icing to embellish them as shown. —Janna Oberdorf, Parents, 15 Dec. 2025

Persimmon This orange colored fruit has a thin outer skin. —Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 15 Dec. 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