plural colors
often attributive
1
a
: a phenomenon of light (such as red, brown, pink, or gray) or visual perception that enables one to differentiate otherwise identical objects
b(1)
: the aspect of the appearance of objects and light sources that may be described in terms of hue, lightness, and saturation (see saturation sense 4) for objects and hue, brightness, and saturation for light sources
the changing color of the sky
also
: a specific combination of hue, saturation, and lightness or brightness
comes in six colors
(2)
: a color other than and as contrasted with black, white, or gray
c
colors plural
: clothing of a bright (see bright entry 1 sense 4) color : clothing that is neither dark nor light in color
Wash your colors separately from your darks and lights.
2
: something used to give color : pigment
3
a
: two or more hues employed in a medium of presentation
movies in color
b
: the use or combination of colors
4
: skin pigmentation other than and especially darker than what is considered characteristic of people typically defined as white (see white entry 1 sense 2a)
The charges … allege that the social network discriminates based on color …—
Shawn Knight
—often used with ofShawn Knight… the policy of treating youthful offenders as adults falls most heavily on those of color.—Kristin Choo
see also man of color, person of color, woman of color
Kristin Choo5
: complexion tint:
a
: the tint characteristic of good health
… sat looking at her with wistful eyes, trying to see signs of hope in the faint color on Beth's cheeks.—Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott
b
: blush
6
a
: an identifying badge, pennant, or flag
—usually used in plural
a ship sailing under Swedish colors
b
: colored clothing distinguishing one as a member of a particular group or representative of a particular person or thing
—usually used in plural
a jockey wearing the colors of the stable
wore his college colors to the game
7
8
a
: vividness or variety of effects of language
… that color and force of style which were later to make him outstanding among American editors …—Arthur Krock
Arthur Krock
b
10
: analysis of game action or strategy, statistics and background information on participants, and often anecdotes provided by a sportscaster to give variety and interest to the broadcast of a game or contest
a color commentator
11
a
: an outward often deceptive show : appearance
His story has the color of truth.
b
: a legal claim to or appearance of a right, authority, or office
d
: an appearance of authenticity : plausibility
lending color to this notion
12
13
: the quality of timbre in music
the color and richness of the cello
14
: a small particle of gold in a gold miner's pan after washing
15
: a hypothetical property of quarks that differentiates each type into three forms having a distinct role in binding quarks together
colored; coloring; colors
1
a
: to give color to
b
: to change the color of (as by dyeing, staining, or painting)
She colors her hair.
2
: to change as if by dyeing or painting: such as
a
: influence
"The lives of most of us have been colored by politics … "—Christine Weston
Christine Weston
b
: misrepresent, distort
a highly colored version of the facts
3
: characterize, label
… call it progress; color it inevitable with shades of job security—C. E. Price
C. E. Price1
: to fill in a shape or picture outlined on a piece of paper using markers, crayons, colored pencils, etc.
His granddaughter Fernanda sat at his side, coloring with crayons.—Charles Montgomery
Charles Montgomery2
: to take on color
Examples of color in a Sentence
Noun
The color of blood is red.
What color are your eyes?
What color paint shall we use?
Blue and green are my favorite colors.
The pillows are all different colors.
The room needs more color.
In early summer the garden is full of color.
She added color to her outfit with a bright scarf.
His eyes were bluish-green in color.
She's using a new lip color.
Verb
We colored the water with red ink.
The children were busy coloring in their coloring books.
My nephew colored a picture for me.
The child colored the sky blue and the sun yellow.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
For those looking for extra color choices—rust, purple, and green—consider Biselina’s ruffle duvet cover and shams.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 May 2025
Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 23 May 2025
Bear in mind, this is coming from someone who’s worked as a professional journalist since before iPhones existed, so my perspective is not only colored by my experience as a writer but also from having tried out a slew of different apps in an effort to find an X replacement.
—Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for color
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Light: The first and shortest boiling produces the sweetest and lightest in color molasses, with 65 percent sucrose (a type of sugar).
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
For those looking for extra color choices—rust, purple, and green—consider Biselina’s ruffle duvet cover and shams.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 May 2025
Verb
Leading the lineup is the Dragon Flame-Grilled Whopper, a fiery twist on the classic, stacked with crispy bacon, cheese, fresh veggies and classic condiments, all served on a red-and-orange-marbled bun colored with natural spices and veggies.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 23 May 2025
Bear in mind, this is coming from someone who’s worked as a professional journalist since before iPhones existed, so my perspective is not only colored by my experience as a writer but also from having tried out a slew of different apps in an effort to find an X replacement.
—Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for color
Cite this Entry
“Color.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/color. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
color
1 of 2 noun
col·or
ˈkəl-ər 
1
a
: an aspect of light (as red, brown, or gray) or sight that allows one to tell otherwise identical objects apart from each other
the color of blood is red
b
: the property of objects and light sources that may be described in terms of hue, lightness, and chromatic purity for objects and hue, brightness, and chromatic purity for light sources
the sky's changing color
c
: a particular combination of hue, lightness or brightness, and chromatic purity
the car comes in six colors
d
: a color other than black, white, or gray
2
: an outward and often deceiving appearance
her story has the color of truth
3
a
: skin pigmentation other than and especially darker than what is considered characteristic of people typically defined as white
a person of color
does not discriminate on the basis of color
b
: the tint in a person's face indicating good health or an emotion (as embarrassment)
4
: the use or combination of colors
a painter who is a master of color
5
plural
a
: an identifying flag, badge, or pennant
a ship sailing under Swedish colors
b
: armed forces
a call to the colors
c
: a person's nature or character
showed his true colors during the crisis
6
: vitality sense 3b, interest entry 1 sense 4b
her comments added color to the broadcast
7
: something used to give color : pigment
color
2 of 2 verb1
a
: to give color to
the wind colored our cheeks
b
: to change the color of (as by dyeing, staining, or painting)
2
: misrepresent, distort
his story is colored by his prejudices
3
: to take on or change color
especially
: blush
colorer
noun
Medical Definition
color
noun
col·or
variants
or chiefly British colour
1
a
: a phenomenon of light (as red, brown, pink, or gray) or visual perception that enables one to differentiate otherwise identical objects
b
: the aspect of objects and light sources that may be described in terms of hue, lightness, and saturation for objects and hue, brightness, and saturation for light sources
c
: a hue as contrasted with black, white, or gray
2
: complexion tint
especially
: the tint characteristic of good health
color
adjective
or chiefly British colour
Legal Definition
color
noun
col·or
: a legal claim to or appearance of a right or authority
threats that gave color to an act of self-defense
—usually used in the phrase under color of
a police officer held liable for violating the plaintiff's civil rights under color of state law
a second “search” under color of warrant—W. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel
W. R. LaFave and J. H. IsraelLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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