off-color

adjective

off-col·​or ˈȯf-ˈkə-lər 

variants or off-colored

ˈȯf-ˈkə-lərd 

1

a

: not having the right or standard color

b

: being out of sorts

2

a

: of doubtful propriety : dubious

b

: verging on the indecent

off-color remarks

Synonyms of off-color

• suggestive
• spicy
• blue

Examples of off-color in a Sentence

the movie was rated PG-13 for some swearing and off-color jokes

Recent Examples on the Web

Slow and steady, and a little off-color? — Dianna Douglas, NPR, 28 June 2026

Jackson made the screening audience gasp multiple times during the Q&A, with off-color remarks about some of Combs’ accusers. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 June 2026

The problem for Platner is that his marital behavior follows a string of reports about offensive and off-color Reddit posts as well as a tattoo with a Nazi symbol. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 1 June 2026

The show became a staple thanks to its sometimes off-color but always entertaining humor and the chemistry between the two hosts. — Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 20 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for off-color

• bicolor
• concolor
• discolor
• tricolor
• color
• colour
• culler
• duller
• multicolor
• technicolor
• unicolor
• versicolor