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

Vautin has created a true stationery smorgasbord, stuffed with creamy notebooks, wax seals, fountain pens and inks, wee porcelain bowls, mini-colored-pencil sets, gift wrap, highlighter pens, Hobonichi planners, a bounty of illustrated stickers, and washi-tape rolls by the dozen. —Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026

Dopamine patches are stick-on, brightly colored patches sold by a variety of online outlets, and advertised as containing natural ingredients, such as mushroom and bean extract, and marketed as a product to boost concentration and increase energy. —Helena Kudiabor, SELF, 13 Mar. 2026

Both factors result in clearer, brightly colored water. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026

The full kit includes all the supplies kids need to grow their mini garden environment, including chia seeds, colored sand, and stickers. —Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 13 Mar. 2026

Some of the dust particles reached the ground as rain and coated the surface with a brown colored residue. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2026

Set along the South Carolina coast, Charleston is famous for its cobblestone streets, pastel-colored row houses, Lowcountry cuisine, and old churches dotting the skyline. —Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026

Wash with similar colored fabrics on the permanent press cycle. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 11 Mar. 2026

The early shoegaze bands were an extension of psych-rock; you were meant to lose yourself in the heat of their colored lights. —Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 11 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