colored

adjective

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col·ored | \ ˈkə-lərd

Definition of colored

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : having color

2a : colorful

b : marked by exaggeration or bias

3a 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

colored

noun, often capitalized

plural colored or coloreds

Definition of colored (Entry 2 of 2)

dated, offensive, see usage paragraph below

: a person of a race (see race entry 1 sense 1a) other than white or of mixed race

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Usage of Colored

Adjective

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.