dye

1 of 3

noun

ˈdī 

1

: color from dyeing

2

: a soluble or insoluble coloring matter

dye

2 of 3

verb

dyed; dyeing

transitive verb

1

: to impart a new and often permanent color to especially by impregnating with a dye

2

: to impart (a color) by dyeing

intransitive verb

: to take up or impart color in dyeing

dyeability

ˌdī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

dyeable

ˈdī-ə-bəl 

adjective

dyer

ˈdī(-ə)r 

noun

dyeable

3 of 3

adjective

dye·​able

variants or less commonly dyable

ˈdīəbəl

: capable of being dyed

dyeability noun

the dyeability of fibers

Synonyms of dye

Noun

• pigment
• coloring
• color
• colorant
• stain

Verb

• paint
• stain
• color
• tint
• pigment

Examples of dye in a Sentence

Noun

soaked the fabric in blue dye

Verb

She had been dyeing her hair for years.

The fabric is bleached, dyed, and then washed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Textile recycling also presents challenges due to other factors, such as material blends and finishes such as dyes, zippers and other details added to the fabric. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026

Hair dyes Some patients can be allergic to certain hair-dye ingredients. — Kara McGrath, Allure, 22 Oct. 2026

Verb

Only the lengthwise, or warp, yarns are dyed, while the crosswise, or weft, yarns remain undyed, giving denim its characteristic blue face and lighter underside. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026

When my mom was younger, the studio dyed her hair blonde, and my daughter is blonde. — Gustavo Egusquiza, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English dehe, from Old English dēah, dēag

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing dye

• aniline dye
• azo dye
• piece-dye
• tie-and-dye
• tie-dye
• vat dye
• xanthene dye
• yarn-dye

Rhymes for dye

• ai
• aye
• bae
• bi
• buy
• by
• bye
• chai
• chi
• cry
• die
• dry

Kids Definition

dye

1 of 2 noun

ˈdī 

1

: color produced by dyeing

2

: a material used for dyeing or staining

dye

2 of 2 verb

dyed; dyeing

: to stain or color usually permanently

dyer

ˈdī(-ə)r 

noun

Medical Definition

dye

1 of 2 noun

ˈdī 

1

: color from dyeing

2

: a soluble or insoluble coloring matter

dye

2 of 2 verb

dyed; dyeing

transitive verb

1

: to impart a new and often permanent color to especially by impregnating with a dye

2

: to impart (a color) by dyeing

dyeing blue on yellow

intransitive verb

: to take up or impart color in dyeing