cyan

1 of 2

noun

cy·​an ˈsī-ˌan 

-ən

: a greenish-blue color

—used in photography and color printing of one of the primary colors

cyan-

2 of 2

combining form

variants or cyano-

1

: dark blue : blue

cyanobacterium

2

: cyanogen

cyanide

3

: cyanide

cyanogenetic

Examples of cyan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Cooler white dwarfs with mixed hydrogen and helium atmospheres often would glow cyan or pale blue, caused as hydrogen molecules collide with helium atoms in their dense atmospheres. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026

The researchers have yet to develop a true cyan, and white is not available as a switchable colour, limiting the range of possible designs. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

Ahmad grew up in Kashmir, a region in India’s northwest abutting the Himalayas, replete with vast valleys, glassy mountain lakes, and purple iris and cyan forget-me-nots. — Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026

Neighboring cyan and seafoam, turquoise is associated with vibrant waters and days spent by the pool. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Greek kyanos

Combining form

German, from Greek kyan-, kyano-, from kyanos dark blue enamel

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1889, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cyan

• an
• ban
• bran
• can
• cann
• clan
• duan
• fan
• flan
• gran
• jann
• klan

Kids Definition

cyan

noun

cy·​an ˈsī-ˌan 

-ən

: a greenish blue