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

Jonathan Ernst | Reuters The law bans several synthetic dyes, including Red 40 and Yellow 5, from most K-12 school meals and vending machines, while also restricting SNAP recipients from using benefits to buy products such as soda and candy. —Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 20 June 2026

Instead, the paper itself is coated with dye crystals that render in color when heated—similar to how thermal printheads in monochrome label printers work. —M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 19 June 2026

Verb

At points, the water had been dyed to improve the reflection. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 17 June 2026

The grounds do have the potential to dye lighter shades, so don’t leave them in your hair for too long. —Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 17 June 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