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

• chromatic
• colored
• kaleidoscopic
• motley
• multicolored
• multihued
• polychromatic
• polychrome
• prismatic
• rainbow
• varicolored
• varied
• variegated
• 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

In the center of the colorful drink is a butterfly pea blossom ice sphere topped with gold luster dust. —Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 21 May 2025

Bosa, Sardinia, Italy Renowned for its colorful houses and the medieval Malaspina Castle, Bosa is situated about two-thirds of the way up the west coast of Sardinia, on a small hill about 3km inland on the north bank of the Temo River. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

Martin said the business’ sign, visible from Rogers Avenue, and colorful paint job were points of contention. —Randal Seyler, Arkansas Online, 21 May 2025

Pixar's Finding Nemo immortalized the colorful clownfish, with its distinctive orange body and white stripes, in the popular imagination. —Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 21 May 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