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

For older water stains or for camouflaging other stains, Mock advises following a process that aims to blend the stain with the surrounding area, as lifting the stain entirely isn’t possible without discoloring the leather. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025

All hands on deck In 2020, Ogg and other fishermen off the California coast noticed that the flesh of adult salmon had discolored from a bright reddish pink to a dull grayish pink. —Calista Oetama, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Hold off on fertilizing your lawn in these situations: When the grass is wet, the fertilizer granules stick to the grass blades, burning and discoloring them. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 July 2025

Removing the discolored, wilted, or dying blooms and stems helps keep the plant looking tidy and prettier. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 July 2025

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