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

The solution works by penetrating deep into the fibers, helping to break down stains on contact, without discoloring the affected area. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Do a sweep of your bathroom and toss anything past its expiration date, has become discolored, or that smells off. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2026

Upon arrival, police found 37-year-old Destiny Dunn deceased with bruises on her body, including her neck and face, and her eyelids were swollen and discolored, according to court documents. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2026

That’s because the temperature can discolor or warp oven racks that aren’t designed to withstand such high heat. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 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