plural colors
Definition of color
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: 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
3a
: 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 of … 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
5
: 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
b
: blush
6a
: 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 stablewore his college colors to the game
b
colors plural
: position as to a question or course of action : stand
… the USSR changed neither its colors nor its stripes during all of this …— Norman Mailer
8a
: 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
b
: local color
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
11a
: 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
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
color
verb
colored; coloring; colors
Definition of color (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: 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
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
1
: 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
Buying Guide
Play with color with paint by number kits for adults selected by our Reviews team.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for color
The first known use of color was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century