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

This is an easy staple of Markle's to incorporate into your wardrobe, going for equally classic and neutral-colored pieces that are versatile and adaptable to nearly every occasion. —Frances Solá-Santiago, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026

Add even more fun colors by using colored tortellini. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026

Despite the gaps in the Peaky Blinders lineup, the show’s iconic universe of tan-colored leather, suave tailoring, hard liquor, swill, and grime has been carefully restored. —Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2026

Whisk light corn syrup with a bit of water, brush it into indents, and sprinkle on colored sugar. —Laura Fenton, Parents, 5 Mar. 2026

The man wore a light-colored baseball cap, an orange zip-up sweatshirt and blue/green plaid pajama pants when the encounter happened. —Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026

The brightly colored blue, yellow and green play structures include slides, monkey bars and climbing ropes. —Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026

Some of the artists specialize in paintings or drawings in colored pencils or pen and ink. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026

Some fling balloons filled with colored water from rooftops and others use squirt guns. —ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026

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