colorant

noun

col·​or·​ant ˈkə-lə-rənt 

-lər-ənt

: a substance used for coloring a material : dye, pigment

Synonyms of colorant

• pigment
• dye
• coloring
• color

Examples of colorant in a Sentence

in ancient times, a mollusk was used to produce a rich purple colorant for clothing and linens

Recent Examples on the Web

Food-grade natural colorant obtained from the petals of the butterfly pea flower was approved for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration in 2021. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026

Updates across the lists include new restrictions on flame retardants and colorants, new or tightened limits on some chemicals and metals, and new substance limits for jewelry. — Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 10 Aug. 2026

The dye free version skips the yellow colorant for a shorter ingredient list and a cleaner look. — Jamie Thilman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026

There was a push to use American dyes and colorants to stave off a deep economic recession—there wasn’t really any other choice—but the cold commercial reality dumped water all over that flag-waving parade. — Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

color entry 2 + -ant entry 1

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above