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

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

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

Wondering how to lighten your hair without bleach is a common musing among hair dye enthusiasts. — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 28 July 2026

On Joseph’s team, Aaron says the Gullah Geechee people and their deftness with indigo dye are guiding the designers’ shades of blue. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 July 2026

Verb

Each piece is individually hand-dyed by artisans in India, producing subtle variations from one linen to the next. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 23 July 2026

He was found in La Jolla, California, with his dark hair dyed blonde and his car filled with $15,000 in cash, four cell phones, two driver's licenses (one being his brother's), several changes of clothes, and survival/camping gear. — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 17 July 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