discolor

verb

dis·​col·​or (ˌ)dis-ˈkə-lər 

discolored; discoloring; discolors

transitive verb

: to alter or change the hue or color of

intransitive verb

: to change color especially for the worse

Examples of discolor in a Sentence

The fabric is guaranteed not to discolor.

The wine stain discolored the rug.

Recent Examples on the Web

High quality materials are number one—we’re talking all the most luxurious cottons, from Turkish to Supima—as well as a focus on designs that don’t unravel and discolor after a single wash. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 27 Feb. 2026

Salt and carpet aren't the best of friends, as carpet can become stiff or discolored with prolonged exposure. —Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026

Sidewalk and curbside snow piles, grimy and discolored from car exhaust and pet waste, had just begun to melt away this week a month after New York’s last big winter storm. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2026

For its part, Paris 2024’s problem was chemical, not structural; athletes at the time complained that some medals discolored and flaked within weeks. —Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 21 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English discolouren, from Anglo-French desculurer, from Late Latin discolorari, from Latin discolor of another color, from dis- + color color

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for discolor

• bicolor
• concolor
• tricolor
• color
• colour
• culler
• duller
• multicolor
• technicolor
• unicolor
• versicolor
• watercolor

Kids Definition

discolor

verb

dis·​col·​or (ˈ)dis-ˈkəl-ər 

: to change in color especially for the worse

the stain discolored the rug

discoloration

(ˌ)dis-ˌkəl-ə-ˈrā-shən

noun