colorist

1 of 2

noun

col·​or·​ist ˈkə-lə-rist 

-lər-ist

plural colorists

: one that colors or deals with color

colorist

2 of 2

adjective

: prejudiced against people with dark skin

specifically : showing favor to light-skinned people over those with darker skin within a racial or ethnic group

The idea that lighter skin provides children less social stigma and more career opportunities, romantic partners, and an overall "easier life" fuels colorist narratives.

—Kelly Wairimu Davis

Examples of colorist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On Tuesday, April 21, Hewitt and her go-to colorist, Nikki Lee, posted a joint Instagram reel to share a cute transformation moment. —Marci Robin, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026

As for how to ask your colorist for the look? —Grace McCarty, Glamour, 16 Apr. 2026

Adjective

The 48-year-old lawyer, activist and philanthropist debuted a new style, courtesy of celebrity hairstylist and colorist Dimitris Giannetos, at Cartier’s Women’s Initiative dialogue in Milan. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026

After decades of neglect, many Victorians found new life during the colorist movement of the 1960s. —Itay Hod, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French coloriste, from Latin color color entry 1 + French -iste -ist entry 1

Adjective

color entry 1 + -ist entry 2 (after racist entry 1, sexist, etc.)

First Known Use

Noun

1685, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1990, in the meaning defined above