primary color

noun

Definition of primary colornext
as in secondary color

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of primary color Associated with clean lines and primary colors, this architectural style favors simplicity and functionality over ornate decoration and tradition. — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 May 2026 But for humans, trying to imagine true UV vision is like trying to imagine an entirely new primary color. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026 Instead, this grounding property is a true architectural feat, with curved clay walls that set the stage for a primary color palette and minimalist furniture silhouettes. — Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2026 Jennifer Lawrence is not one to shy away from color, often adding bold primary colors into her off-duty wardrobe—bright red being one of her favorites. — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for primary color
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primary color
  1. secondary color
  2. tertiary color
Noun
  • The most valuable stones display a pure blue hue with strong saturation and minimal secondary colors.
    — Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 6 May 2026
  • Another idea is to select a secondary color from the pattern and utilize your hat to accentuate that hue.
    — Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026
Definition of secondary color
Noun
  • Having a tertiary color would’ve helped to break up the red, especially since the lettering is the same color.
    — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
  • There are six tertiary colors because of the mixing of the three primary colors with three secondary colors, and they are located between primary and secondary colors on the color wheel.
    — Kate Reggev, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2024
Definition of tertiary color

Browse Nearby Words

primary
primary color
primary colors
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Primary color.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primary%20color. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on primary color

Nglish: Translation of primary color for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of yaw

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All