Synonyms of colorant

colorant

noun

ˈkə-lə-rənt 

as in pigment

a substance used to color other materials

in ancient times, a mollusk was used to produce a rich purple colorant for clothing and linens

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pigment
• dye
• coloring
• color
• stain
• dyestuff
• hue
• tint
• toner
• shade
• tinge
• cast

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of colorant

But that other supplier would have to try to reverse engineer that particular dye — formulas for dyes and colorants were, in spite of being in service to the war effort, still proprietary — and backward engineering color from a finished product is a crapshoot. — Kory Stamper, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026

Founded in Brazil by Ailton Pereira, the process converts agro-industrial waste into textile colorants designed to reduce reliance on petrochemical dyes. — Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 5 Mar. 2026

It is used to make liquid shellac, a brush-on colorant and wood finish, and is found in shampoos, aluminum foil and lipstick. — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026

Twenty-six other states have followed in California’s footsteps with legislation — some signed into law, others still in progress — that would either ban, restrict or require labels for artificial colorants. — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026