polychromatic

adjective

poly·​chro·​mat·​ic ˌpä-lē-krō-ˈma-tik How to pronounce polychromatic (audio)
1
: showing a variety or a change of colors : multicolored
2
: being or relating to radiation that is composed of more than one wavelength

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Designed by John Simpson and opened by the Queen during her Golden Jubilee in 2002, the new gallery, housing part of the Royal Collection held in trust for her successors and the nation, featured a chaste Greek Doric entrance fronting polychromatic galleries. Jonathan Glancey, CNN, 17 Sep. 2022 Along with elaborate ornamental stonework, all but the lower four floors of the Woolworth Building feature a terra-cotta facade that from a distance reads as limestone, but upon closer inspection is a polychromatic scheme of vibrant blue, green and golden yellow glazes. New York Times, 7 May 2021 Among the rare pieces on display: a polychromatic Aleut hat that is one of only six remaining in the United States (on loan from the Princeton University Art Museum), an Inupiaq whaling suit made from bearded seal, and the largest collection of Point Hope masks in the world. Anchorage Daily News, 28 June 2021 From a windowless control room nearby, a team of engineers in blue and orange coveralls monitored the operation, their faces lit by the polychromatic glow from a hodgepodge of screens. WIRED, 28 Feb. 2023 On average each volunteer read 100,000 words of the polychromatic prose. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 6 July 2012 With their assortment, the pair wanted to offer easy, multifunctional products that reflected Ribeiro’s polychromatic outlook. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2022 At gala soirees after 2010, Franca surprised with choices that were polychromatic and histrionic, or candidly ethereal, with macro prints, animalier, feathers, embroidery, and important jewelry. Federico Chiara, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2022 The exhibition’s candy-colored archway, made from nine different slabs of polychromatic onyx, became one of the most Instagrammed items of the week. Anna Fixsen, ELLE Decor, 14 June 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polychromatic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

poly- + chromatic entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of polychromatic was circa 1841

Dictionary Entries Near polychromatic

Cite this Entry

“Polychromatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polychromatic. Accessed 5 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

polychromatic

adjective
poly·​chro·​mat·​ic ˌpäl-i-krō-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce polychromatic (audio)
: showing a variety or change of colors : multicolored

Medical Definition

polychromatic

adjective
poly·​chro·​mat·​ic -krō-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce polychromatic (audio)
1
: showing a variety or a change of colors
2
of a cell or tissue : exhibiting polychromatophilia
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!