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

Wear lightweight, loose and light-colored clothing and a brimmed hat. — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 2 July 2026

The stage was decorated with Bosnian colored lights — blue, white and yellow — at one end. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026

Impress party-goers with this Fourth of July colored layered dessert starring fresh berries, angel food cake, and whipped topping. — Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 1 July 2026

Spectators should wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing and a hat. — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Saperavi is the starting point for reds — the name means dye in Georgian, a reference to its extraordinary pigmentation, one of only a handful of grapes in the world with naturally colored flesh and juice. — Michelle Williams, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

People are encouraged to drink plenty of water, wear lightweight, light-colored clothing, and avoid outdoor activities during the warmest parts fo the day. — Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026

In a picture captured by surveillance cameras and published by French media, the suspect could be seen in a street wearing a black jacket, light-colored pants, white shoes and a black bucket hat that partly concealed his face. — Philippe Magoni, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

The rapper, real name Belcalis Almánzar, wore a multi-colored corset with an intergalactic pattern in shades of purple, pink and yellow detailing on the bust. — Eleanor Jacobs, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026

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