kaleidoscope

noun

ka·​lei·​do·​scope kə-ˈlī-də-ˌskōp 

1

: an instrument containing loose bits of colored material (such as glass or plastic) between two flat plates and two plane mirrors so placed that changes of position of the bits of material are reflected in an endless variety of patterns

2

: something resembling a kaleidoscope: such as

a

: a variegated changing pattern or scene

a kaleidoscope of colors

b

: a succession of changing phases or actions

a kaleidoscope of changing fashions

c

: a diverse collection

kaleidoscopic

kə-ˌlī-də-ˈskä-pik 

adjective

kaleidoscopically

kə-ˌlī-də-ˈskä-pi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of kaleidoscope in a Sentence

The landscape was a kaleidoscope of changing colors.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the video, the dire wolves take center stage in a kaleidoscope-like clip that's full of color and nostalgic graphics, which help chronicle the dire wolves' development over the last year. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025

For many travelers, this means that a time to plot out those leaf peeping adventures to watch the foliage turn into a kaleidoscope of colors. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2025

Gorham, New Hampshire Snugly situated in the shadow of the rugged Presidential mountains, Gorham is one of the Granite State’s most suggestive spots – and autumn in New England is a wonderful time to experience the town’s kaleidoscope of changing leaves. —Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025

The Atacama seemed to appear and disappear through a kaleidoscope positioned in outer space. —Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek kalos beautiful + eidos form + English -scope — more at idyll

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for kaleidoscope

• electroscope
• heliotrope
• laryngoscope
• ophthalmoscope
• oscilloscope
• polariscope
• stereoscope
• antelope
• bronchoscope
• cantaloupe
• cystoscope
• endoscope

Kids Definition

kaleidoscope

noun

ka·​lei·​do·​scope kə-ˈlīd-ə-ˌskōp 

1

: a tube containing loose bits of colored glass or plastic and two mirrors at one end that shows many different patterns as it is turned

2

: a changing pattern or scene

3

: a diverse collection

a kaleidoscope of subjects

kaleidoscopic

-ˌlīd-ə-ˈskäp-ik 

adjective

kaleidoscopically

-ˈskäp-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Etymology

from Greek kalos "beautiful" and Greek eidos "form, shape" and English -scope