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

• 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

Meanwhile, Cha See’s lighting design bathes the set in the warm golden hue of the past and costume designer Qween Jean and hair and wig designer Nikiya Mathis team up to bring the ‘70s back in full living color with bold prints, bouffants, and miniskirts. —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025

Plus, the color options include both neutral shades and more vibrant hues like burgundy, olive, and purple. —Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

Bugatti’s signature Bleu Royal Carbon hue can be found throughout, while the dining area features automotive-grade carbon fiber chairs that pay sculptural homage to Carlo Bugatti’s 1902 Cobra Chair. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2025

The sneaker showcases a hue called Fauna Brown, which is on trend for the fall season. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 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