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.
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.
Examples of colored in a Sentence
Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
This solid colored wool rug was the perfect neutral-but-not-boring option to balance out the space between visuals editor Lizzie Soufleris’ living room and dining area.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 6 Nov. 2025
Avoid overripe pomegranates, which may have soft, dull-colored skin with brown spots.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 5 Nov. 2025
This is especially true of dark and brightly colored clothing which, when washed inside out, is less susceptible to color loss and fading.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2025
Options start at $20 a single 9-ounce clear glass jar or choose colored glass, ceramic or wood.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Nov. 2025
From further afield in Piedmont and in their thirties, Alessio and Sara are completely blue with colored contact lenses representing their characters from James Cameron’s Avatar.
—John Bleasdale, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
In the same image, a new set of light-colored objects appears in the southeast corner of the compound.
—Sara Monetta, NBC news, 1 Nov. 2025
In a similar vein, Louis Vuitton revived its first wristwatch with a fresh design and new movement, Vacheron Constantin reimagined the Grand Lady Kalla with colored stones, and TAG Heuer gave the Carrera Chronograph Extreme Sports an upgrade with rose gold and a GMT complication.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Colored.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colored. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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