hue

noun

ˈhyü 

1

: overall character or appearance to the mind : complexion, aspect

… political parties of every hue …

—Louis Wasserman

2

a

: color

all the hues of the rainbow

b

: gradation of color

… the hues and shades of twilight …

—Colin Clark

c

: the attribute of colors that permits them to be classed as red, yellow, green, blue, or an intermediate between any contiguous pair of these colors

red with an orange hue

compare brightness sense 2, lightness sense 2a, saturation sense 4

Synonyms of hue

• shade
• color
• tone
• tint

Examples of hue in a Sentence

We decorated the room in hues of blue and green.

decorated the room in hues of blue and green

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s both a formal living room and dining room, the latter done up in a bright-blue hue. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 17 Dec. 2025

From classic blacks and ivory brighteners for everyday to a deep burgundy that yields a festive pop, these are the hues that will flatter any gaze. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2025

The design duo, which has a reputation for working with exuberant hues, could tell that the husband, wife, and their three children would be game for some splashy choices. —Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 16 Dec. 2025

While Ono’s stature as an artist has largely been rehabilitated, Sheff brings hue and shading to her story. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 16 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hewe, from Old English hīw; akin to Old Norse hȳ plant down, Goth hiwi form

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing hue

• hue and cry

Rhymes for hue

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

hue

noun

ˈhyü 

1

: color sense 1

2

: a particular variety of a color : shade

3

: an aspect of colors that allows them to be identified as red, yellow, green, blue, or something between any two of these colors

Medical Definition

hue

noun

ˈhyü 

: the one of the three psychological dimensions of color perception that permits them to be classified as red, yellow, green, blue, or an intermediate between any contiguous pair of these colors and that is correlated with the wavelength or the combination of wavelengths comprising the stimulus compare brightness, saturation sense 4a

Geographical Definition

Hue

geographical name

ˈ(h)wā 

hü-ˈā, 

hyü-ˈā

variants or French Hué

city and port in central Vietnam; formerly capital of Annam population 302,983