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

From extension removal to a preliminary cut and a few rounds of color, the transformation took a total of four days to complete with the help of celebrity colorist Jacob Schwartz. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025

Upkeep is necessary to keep it vibrant, and professional colorists say color-safe conditioners are just as important as shampoo. —Mary Honkus, Glamour, 29 Oct. 2025

Adjective

Yet, her Glinda-isms proved to be just as strong under the mop of dark brown courtesy of colorist Francesco De Chiara. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025

Since winning Season 7, many netizens accused Amaya Espinal of being racist and colorist years before her Love Island debut. —Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 31 July 2025

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