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

Brennan is known for his signature style of colorful windbreakers and comedy, focusing on growing up in the Midwest in a family of eight children with a doctor for a father, despite having no health insurance himself. —Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025

The crew was seen operating an excavator, and slamming what appeared to be a sledgehammer, to pull out the colorful sidewalk pavers. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025

That’s plenty of time to pick apples, hike under colorful canopies, snap photos in pumpkin patches, and indulge in every other fall favorite. —Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025

Choose from bold prints like leopard scarves or ones with a colorful scene displayed. —Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 4 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