poly·chrome
ˈpä-lē-ˌkrōm 
: relating to, made with, or decorated in several colors
polychrome pottery
polychrome
transitive verb
poly·chro·my
plural -es
1
: the art or practice of decorating (as sculpture or architectural ornaments) in combinations of several colors
2
[polychrome entry 1 + -y]
: a polychrome surface or effect
Examples of polychrome in a Sentence
Adjective
polychrome pottery featuring designs from the American Southwest
Recent Examples on the Web
Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
Now, L'Occitane amenities and Nason Moretti glassware share space with polychrome wood ceilings that have watched over this corner of old Hispalis for 500 years.
—Ryan Craggs, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2026
In Morrisania, Alexander Gorlin’s polychrome supportive-housing center, El Borinquen, exudes a salsa vibe in a Corbusian frame.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 28 Jan. 2026
Its chandeliers are made of handblown Murano glass, its bathrooms of polychrome Italian marble.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025
Coat of black silk satin brocaded with polychrome silk thread in a pattern of tulips; belt of black silk satin; blouse of white silk-cotton batiste; skirt of beige cotton-linen twill.
—Irene Kim, Vogue, 28 June 2024
In the artist Eddie Martinez’s dense, polychrome paintings, each mark is haunted by the gesture that made it and each color seems to demand its own verb: The thick gray drips; a bright red streak declares; a daub of blue hesitates.
—Phoebe Chen, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2023
La Grande Dame is made of carved and polychrome wood that has been painted with imagery alluding to a rich tapestry of cultural references, including ancient folklore, witchcraft, and an Egyptian creation myth.
—Karen K. Ho, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019
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Adjective
In the Italian capital, Bulgari restored the Spanish Steps, the polychrome floor mosaics of the Baths of Caracalla and the marbles of the Torlonia Collection.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
Now, L'Occitane amenities and Nason Moretti glassware share space with polychrome wood ceilings that have watched over this corner of old Hispalis for 500 years.
—Ryan Craggs, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2026
In Morrisania, Alexander Gorlin’s polychrome supportive-housing center, El Borinquen, exudes a salsa vibe in a Corbusian frame.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 28 Jan. 2026
Its chandeliers are made of handblown Murano glass, its bathrooms of polychrome Italian marble.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025
Coat of black silk satin brocaded with polychrome silk thread in a pattern of tulips; belt of black silk satin; blouse of white silk-cotton batiste; skirt of beige cotton-linen twill.
—Irene Kim, Vogue, 28 June 2024
In the artist Eddie Martinez’s dense, polychrome paintings, each mark is haunted by the gesture that made it and each color seems to demand its own verb: The thick gray drips; a bright red streak declares; a daub of blue hesitates.
—Phoebe Chen, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2023
La Grande Dame is made of carved and polychrome wood that has been painted with imagery alluding to a rich tapestry of cultural references, including ancient folklore, witchcraft, and an Egyptian creation myth.
—Karen K. Ho, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Polychrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polychrome. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
polychrome
adjective
poly·chrome
ˈpäl-i-ˌkrōm
: relating to, made with, or decorated in several colors
polychrome pottery
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