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

The company’s analysis of nearly 300 million items at waste facilities found that 93% of white-colored deodorant bottles were recovered, compared to 60% of dark-colored deodorant containers. —Denise Chow, NBC news, 27 Nov. 2025

Chelmon Luggage Strap 4-pack Help your luggage stand out from the rest at baggage claim with this pack of four brightly colored straps that work double duty to also keep your bag securely held shut. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2025

A little trick that’s been passed down for years is using a colored eyeliner in your waterline to enhance your eye color. —Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025

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, 25 Nov. 2025

Adorning the monument will be 52 strands of garland and 4,784 multi-colored lights. —Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 25 Nov. 2025

Simply frost a white base and pipe a colored holiday light. —Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Nov. 2025

But unlike Brillat-Savarin, David thickens his sauces with brilliantly colored vegetable pulps and herb oils instead of cream and butter. —Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2025

Blue Hubbard Squash Blue Hubbard squash is a unique winter squash type with a bluish-green colored rind. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 21 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