Usage of Colored
The adjective meanings of colored relating to race were formerly in common and widespread use well into the 20th century, although attitudes toward them had changed by the 1960s. In most nonhistorical contexts, these uses of colored are now considered unacceptable; the terms Black and African American are preferred. The adjective 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. The use of colored in this name is not regarded as offensive. The adjective colored is also occasionally still used in self-reference by Black people, but its use by others is offensive.
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
Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025
Or check out the vividly colored reefs—the world’s fourth largest—while snorkeling or diving.
—Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
However, this fall, Royo will introduce a smarter way for brands to achieve smaller quantities of colored denim.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Sep. 2025
Their attention turned to a giant cherry-colored armoire that had belonged to a professor now on sabbatical in Malaysia.
—Ben McGrath, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Childhood snacks, in particular, form lifelong habits — and children are famously fond of brightly colored things.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
During their first night out together, the couple ducks into a Spanish nightclub, drinking under a smear of colored lights and then dancing.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Fancy colored diamonds have been all the rage recently; prices of the gems have skyrocketed by 205 percent over the last 20 years, according to a recent report from Natural Diamond Council, in partnership with Choron Group and the Fancy Color Research Foundation.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2025
Crowther, who is known for her colorful gemstone jewelry, says she’s seen many people add colored stones to their rings in recent years.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Colored.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colored. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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