colorless

adjective

col·​or·​less ˈkə-lər-ləs How to pronounce colorless (audio)
: lacking color: such as
a
: pallid, blanched
a colorless complexion
b
: dull, uninteresting
colorless prose
colorlessly adverb
colorlessness noun

Examples of colorless in a Sentence

since we can't decide what color to paint the doghouse, our latest home project remains colorless for the time being page after page of colorless prose without even one neat turn of phrase
Recent Examples on the Web Using your naked eye, only the brightest stars are able to activate your cones, which is why fainter ones appear white—that is, colorless. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 25 Aug. 2023 While this gemstone is well-known for its colorless or white variety, there are colored diamonds, such as the famous Hope diamond. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2023 Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature. Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2023 Formaldehyde is a colorless gas that’s flammable at room temperature and is often used in building materials. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 20 Oct. 2023 Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas that’s used in a wide variety of household products, including medicines and cosmetics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Claretta Bellamy, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2023 Anhydrous ammonia is a clear, colorless gas that is toxic. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2023 The most common contaminants in 2022 were arsenic, which is colorless and odorless; nitrate, which can come from animal manure, fertilizers and sewage leaks; and 1,2,3-Trichloropropane, a carcinogen found in industrial solvents and some pesticides. Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2023 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless and odorless gas that can be lethal. David Chiu, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'colorless.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of colorless was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near colorless

Cite this Entry

“Colorless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colorless. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

colorless

adjective
col·​or·​less ˈkəl-ər-ləs How to pronounce colorless (audio)
1
: lacking color
a colorless liquid
2
: dull entry 1 sense 8
colorless writing
colorlessly adverb
colorlessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on colorless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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