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

Summer is the season to embrace colorful stones in addition to the classics. —Aemilia Madden, Vogue, 18 June 2026

In this colorful blend of 2D animation and ink on paper short, Catherine Lepage invites the viewer into a candid and self-deprecating autofictional story. —Kevin Giraud, Variety, 18 June 2026

Winemaker James Hall of Patz & Hall has been crafting California wine since the early 1980s and is widely respected for both his deft winemaking and his encyclopedic knowledge of the state's colorful winemaking history. —Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Looking equally chic, Blunt, a literary agent and former barrister, donned a white collared dress with a colorful floral print along the neckline and sleeves. —Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 18 June 2026

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