polychromatic

adjective

poly·​chro·​mat·​ic ˌpä-lē-krō-ˈma-tik 

1

: showing a variety or a change of colors : multicolored

2

: being or relating to radiation that is composed of more than one wavelength

Synonyms

• colorful
• colored
• varied
• rainbow

Examples of polychromatic in a Sentence

a polychromatic tropical bird

Recent Examples on the Web

Denali National Park Alaska Spanning 6 million acres of wilderness and containing polychromatic ridgelines, boreal forest, and the tallest mountain in North America (at 20,237 feet), Denali National Park inspires awe like nowhere else. —Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 21 May 2025

From natural dyes to native teas, create rainbow flags and polychromatic drinks. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 10 June 2024

The colorful sculptures are massive and yet almost seem to float, made up of shining polychromatic bands that twist and coil through space. —CBS News, 4 May 2024

The backbone exponent is strikingly different from its polychromatic cousins. —Quanta Magazine, 7 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

poly- + chromatic entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for polychromatic

• adiabatic
• aristocratic
• asymptomatic
• axiomatic
• diagrammatic
• diaphragmatic
• electrostatic
• endolymphatic
• epigrammatic
• homeostatic
• idiomatic
• magnetostatic

Kids Definition

polychromatic

adjective

poly·​chro·​mat·​ic ˌpäl-i-krō-ˈmat-ik 

: showing a variety or change of colors : multicolored

Medical Definition

polychromatic

adjective

poly·​chro·​mat·​ic -krō-ˈmat-ik 

1

: showing a variety or a change of colors

2

of a cell or tissue : exhibiting polychromatophilia