colorful

adjective

col·​or·​ful ˈkə-lər-fəl 

1

: having striking colors

colorful scenery

2

a

: full of variety or interest

a colorful description

b

of speech : rude, offensive

… he had begun to gamble and use colorful language …

—Yohannes Edemariam

colorfully

ˈkə-lər-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

colorfulness

ˈkə-lər-fəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of colorful

• colored
• varied
• rainbow
• vibrant
• various

Examples of colorful in a Sentence

I wore a colorful outfit.

He gave a colorful account of his travels.

Recent Examples on the Web

They are prized for their hardy nature and colorful needles that are often bluish-green in color. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Nov. 2025

Throughout her life, Kristil spent countless hours working with her dad on classic muscle cars in his colorful garage. —Betsy Shuller, CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025

The colorful set, which has five unique spaces inspired by the movie, comes with 15 mini accessories for imaginative play. —Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025

The colorful Villa Flamenco Beach is one of them, ticking every box for an extended beach stay with kitchenettes, ocean or island views, and plenty of beach chairs, all within steps of the sand. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

color entry 1 + -ful entry 1

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing colorful

• colorful character

Kids Definition

colorful

adjective

col·​or·​ful ˈkəl-ər-fəl 

1

: having noticeable colors

2

: full of variety or interest

a colorful personality

colorfully

-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

colorfulness

-fəl-nəs 

noun