primary color

noun

: any of a set of colors from which all other colors may be derived

Examples of primary color in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Houses painted in bright primary colors circled the harbor, framed by white and purple lupines. —Gina Decaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026

This one reminds us of Scandinavian folk art with its abstract stripes and primary color scheme. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 23 Feb. 2026

No, paint tubes dispensing with primary colors of blue, red, and yellow, in honor of Italy’s art history. —Sean Gregory, Time, 6 Feb. 2026

For proof, look to the number of designers who harnessed a primary color palette –– yellow, blue, and red –– in recent collections. —Shelby Ying Hyde, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for primary color

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

Kids Definition

primary color

noun

: any of a set of colors from which all other colors may be made with the colors for light being red, green, and blue and for pigments or paint being red, yellow, and blue

Medical Definition

primary color

noun

: any of a set of colors (as red, yellow, and blue or red, green, and blue) from which all other colors may be derived