colorful

adjective

col·​or·​ful ˈkə-lər-fəl 

1

: having striking colors

colorful scenery

2

a

: full of variety or interest

a colorful description

b

of speech : rude, offensive

… he had begun to gamble and use colorful language …

—Yohannes Edemariam

colorfully

ˈkə-lər-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

colorfulness

ˈkə-lər-fəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of colorful

• colored
• varied
• rainbow
• vibrant
• various

Examples of colorful in a Sentence

I wore a colorful outfit.

He gave a colorful account of his travels.

Recent Examples on the Web

Emmie – as a skit featuring Epic employees dressed as colorful AI agents illustrated – is designed to answer common questions more reliably than general-use chatbots. — Michael L. Millenson, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Bulbs flower at different times and succession planting spring flowering bulbs, like crocuses, with Virginia bluebells, ornamental alliums, and other late bloomers will keep your beds colorful throughout the seasons. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 2026

Decked out in regalia featuring feathers, jingles, beads and colorful fabrics, these dancers from across Californian and North American tribal communities did prayer ceremonies in the Shingle Springs Rancheria’s open-air dance circle. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Local South Asian cultural organizations joined the procession, marking 80 years of Indian independence with music, dance and floats hung with Indian flags and colorful streamers. — Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

color entry 1 + -ful entry 1

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing colorful

• colorful character

Kids Definition

colorful

adjective

col·​or·​ful ˈkəl-ər-fəl 

1

: having noticeable colors

2

: full of variety or interest

a colorful personality

colorfully

-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

colorfulness

-fəl-nəs 

noun