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

For Pot 1, Canada, Mexico and the USA, as the host countries, will be identified by different colored balls and, when drawn, will be assigned to position A1 for Mexico (green ball), B1 for Canada (red ball) and D1 for the USA (blue ball). —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 4 Dec. 2025

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is adorned with more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights, strung together with roughly five miles of wire. —Caché McClay, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Dec. 2025

The Denver Police Department is searching for a white or light-colored pickup truck in connection with a fatal road rage shooting on Saturday in Harvey Park. —Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 2 Dec. 2025

The Perfect mood includes chocolate and mocha-colored lacquer and walnut joinery, with maple-parquet flooring matched with white Savec marble and ivory-colored wallpaper. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2025

Baker says it’s been great at tackling thick spills like mustard on her multi-colored carpets and that the machine is easy to maintain thanks to the self-cleaning hose. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025

This set includes nine multi-colored lights that illuminate and bubble up when they’re plugged in for a warm, whimsical glow. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2025

The Stickerbox seems pretty reasonably priced at US$99; that includes a set of colored pencils and three paper rolls (which works out to 180 stickers). —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 29 Nov. 2025

Tie a brightly colored cloth to your antenna. —Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 29 Nov. 2025

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