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 Three crisp, sharp triangles in flat primary colors are edged in scalloped yellow. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2024 The austerity of the architecture, designed in the Bauhaus style with sharp lines and bursts of primary colors, provides an exciting juxtaposition to the natural grandeur of the property — the immense slopes of the Rockies and the slender towering reach of the Aspen trees. Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 3 Feb. 2024 Seen from this lofty vantage point, near the tree line atop the Van Sickle Trail, the south shore divides into bookends of vivid primary colors, all greens and blues. Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2024 This works with primary colors in general, as one commenter pointed out. Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Jan. 2024 The colors are closer to the traditional brighter primary colors, rather than some of the various altered approaches to the design and colors used in the DCEU and some of the various live-action TV incarnations. Mark Hughes, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Dorji’s use of first-time or inexperienced actors results in a mixed bag of performances, but not to any disruptive degree: The primary color in his mosaic is a casual, even proud naivete. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2024 The beloved primary color has been having quite a moment in the fashion and beauty world over the past few months, and Palmer just put her personal twist on the trend with a dark red lob and corseted crimson cocktail dress combo that was, well, total fire. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 6 Feb. 2024 Red, yellow and blue bursts of primary colors serve as bold accents at the front desk in contrast to the muted colors of modern hotel designs. Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 30 Jan. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of primary color was in 1817

Dictionary Entries Near primary color

Cite this Entry

“Primary color.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primary%20color. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on primary color

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