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

• 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

Your pumpkins are styled on the front porch, colorful mums are blooming by the door, and Halloween decorations have transformed the house with the perfect fall theme—but there’s just one thing missing. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025

Clad in a series of colorful cowgirl outfits, Wilson commanded the stage and crowd in a manner reminiscent of Carrie Underwood or even ’90s-era Shania Twain. —Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025

Astrophotographer Ronald Brecher has captured a colorful view of the Heart Nebula (IC 1805), which is located some 6,000 light-years from Earth in the Perseus spiral arm of the Milky Way. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2025

Gathered together and wearing colorful outfits, the kids patiently waited for Perry, who peeked out from a nearby room and made her way over to them. —Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 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