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

The sunshine sparkles upon the ripples of the gently moving water, which is clear and colored like tea by natural plant tannins. —Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026

That includes such things as the reference pitch, the instrument name, a clearer multi-colored tuning bar, and battery status. —New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026

Moss-Bachrach wore a striped button-down shirt tucked into cream-colored trousers, while Bernthal sported a brown leather jacket layered over a white ringer tee and burgundy pants. —Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

Neglecting To Sort Your Laundry Wash your whites and light-colored clothing separately from your darks and reds to prevent colors from bleeding onto others. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026

Fix yourself a drink in the tangerine-colored kitchen to enjoy on the private deck, which is equipped with bistro lights and mountain views for an evening spent stargazing. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026

Beck marched down the field, and fittingly, Beck, scanning the field, found a seam to his left and sprinted for the colored paint to score the game-winner with 18 seconds left. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026

He was last seen wearing the black face mask, a dark-colored hoodie, and light-colored pants. —Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

In Tokyo, the structure will resemble golden colored bamboo plants. —Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 8 Jan. 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