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

Arguably one of the most memorable campaigns of the last decade came courtesy of Jonathan Anderson, who cast 88-year-old Dame Maggie Smith in a Loewe ad, the late legendary actor swaddled in a multi-colored faux fur coat, clutching a Puzzle bag. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2026

A lot of technical challenges followed suit in the two-years-in-the-making collection, from mastering the right scale and proportions to fine-tuning the hand-applications, pavé settings and inlays of colored stones including amethyst, tiger’s eye, mother of pearl and malachite. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 23 Jan. 2026

In an unassuming building at the San Francisco Zoo, 115 brilliantly colored baby snakes are being fattened up on a diet of worms. —Pepper St. Clair, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026

Try to remain visible by tying a bright-colored cloth to your antenna or by turning your dome light on. —Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Jan. 2026

Using a light-colored commercial tree wrap or a plastic tree guard, cover the trunk from the base to the first set of branches. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 21 Jan. 2026

The ceremony was complete with dreamlike floral arrangements and multi-colored smoke bombs that fired after the lovebirds exchanged their vows. —Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026

For minimalists looking to expand their horizons, solid colored upholstery helps ground the piece in some neutrality, while the floor-sweeping fringe brings the wow factor. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 21 Jan. 2026

Black dots against the Krishna-colored sky. —Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 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