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

She was reportedly last seen wearing a tan-colored top and tan pants. —Tim Fang, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026

The vessel also was described as having colored sides, a white hull and black bottom paint. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026

Shopping online for loose diamonds is easier than ever with reputable sources that offer both natural and lab-grown diamonds, plus colored diamonds and diamond alternatives like moissanite. —Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 26 Mar. 2026

The fossils are now polished and rust-colored from mineralization after thousands of years underneath the water, but gathering samples was as easy as reaching down and grabbing them. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026

Not bad for a beauty editor whose platform is a notebook and a set of colored pencils. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026

Customers can sign up for classes, too, and make a jewelry tree using wire and colored stones, wreaths and other décor. —Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026

Altered poop color Those with constipation or diarrhea may notice different colored poop. —Nicole Hernandez, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026

Dangles and hoops showcasing beautiful gemstones from colored amethyst and topaz to radiant quartz colors. —Tory Johnson, ABC News, 23 Mar. 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