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
Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025
Run the cycle again, warm for colored towels and hot for white towels.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
Chloé’s Chemena Kamali surprised those watching her show with a series of brightly colored floral dresses at the top of her collection — a departure from the muted, neutral tones often associated with the brand.
—Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Police said the man was walking on the east side of the street when he was hit by a dark colored SUV.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Oct. 2025
The product is available in several design options, including all purple, all black, all orange and a multi-colored version.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
Another perk is its attention to design, with two minimal pattern options (a stripe and a swirl) that feel like a gorgeous blank slate compared to other squares of colored fabric that bill themselves as bath mats.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2025
Cakes should be evenly colored and springy when pressed with a finger.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2025
The game gives players six attempts to guess a five-letter word, receiving feedback through colored tiles that indicate correct letters and their placement.
—Peter White, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Colored.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colored. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
Copy Citation
Share