What does colour mean?

Definitions for colour
ˈkʌl ərcolour

Here are all the possible meanings and translations of the word colour.

Princeton's WordNet(2.33 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

coloring material, colouring material, color, colour(noun)
any material used for its color
"she used a different color for the trim"
color, colour, people of color, people of colour(noun)
a race with skin pigmentation different from the white race (especially Blacks)
color, colour(noun)
(physics) the characteristic of quarks that determines their role in the strong interaction
"each flavor of quarks comes in three colors"
color, colour, vividness(noun)
interest and variety and intensity
"the Puritan Period was lacking in color"; "the characters were delineated with exceptional vividness"
color, colour, coloration, colouration(noun)
the timbre of a musical sound
"the recording fails to capture the true color of the original music"
color, colour, coloring, colouring(noun)
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
"a white color is made up of many different wavelengths of light"
semblance, gloss, color, colour(noun)
an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
"he hoped his claims would have a semblance of authenticity"; "he tried to give his falsehood the gloss of moral sanction"; "the situation soon took on a different color"
color, colour(adj)
the appearance of objects (or light sources) described in terms of a person's perception of their hue and lightness (or brightness) and saturation
color, colour(verb)
having or capable of producing colors
"color film"; "he rented a color television"; "marvelous color illustrations"
color, colour(verb)
modify or bias
"His political ideas color his lectures"
color, colour, emblazon(verb)
decorate with colors
"color the walls with paint in warm tones"
color, colour, gloss(verb)
give a deceptive explanation or excuse for
"color a lie"
tinge, color, colour, distort(verb)
affect as in thought or feeling
"My personal feelings color my judgment in this case"; "The sadness tinged his life"
color, colorize, colorise, colourise, colourize, colour, color in, colour in(verb)
add color to
"The child colored the drawings"; "Fall colored the trees"; "colorize black and white film"
discolor, discolour, colour, color(verb)
change color, often in an undesired manner
"The shirts discolored"

Wiktionary(4.00 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

colour(Noun)
The spectral composition of visible light
Humans and birds can perceive colour
Etymology: From color, via colour (Early Anglo-Norman culur). The US spelling, which excludes the u, was chosen to conform to the word's Latin origin, and to make all derivatives consistent (colorimeter, colorize, colorless, etc; see below). Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the u has been retained.
colour(Noun)
A particular set of visible spectral compositions, perceived or named as a class
Most languages have names for the colours black, white, red and green.
Etymology: From color, via colour (Early Anglo-Norman culur). The US spelling, which excludes the u, was chosen to conform to the word's Latin origin, and to make all derivatives consistent (colorimeter, colorize, colorless, etc; see below). Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the u has been retained.
colour(Noun)
Hue as opposed to achromatic colours (black, white and greys).
He referred to the white flag as one "drained of all colour".
Etymology: From color, via colour (Early Anglo-Norman culur). The US spelling, which excludes the u, was chosen to conform to the word's Latin origin, and to make all derivatives consistent (colorimeter, colorize, colorless, etc; see below). Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the u has been retained.
colour(Noun)
Human skin tone, especially as an indicator of race or ethnicity.
Colour has been a sensitive issue in many societies.
Etymology: From color, via colour (Early Anglo-Norman culur). The US spelling, which excludes the u, was chosen to conform to the word's Latin origin, and to make all derivatives consistent (colorimeter, colorize, colorless, etc; see below). Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the u has been retained.
colour(Noun)
Interest, especially in a selective area
a bit of local colour
Etymology: From color, via colour (Early Anglo-Norman culur). The US spelling, which excludes the u, was chosen to conform to the word's Latin origin, and to make all derivatives consistent (colorimeter, colorize, colorless, etc; see below). Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the u has been retained.
colour(Noun)
Any of the standard dark tinctures used in a coat of arms, including azure, gules, sable, and vert. Contrast with metal.
Etymology: From color, via colour (Early Anglo-Norman culur). The US spelling, which excludes the u, was chosen to conform to the word's Latin origin, and to make all derivatives consistent (colorimeter, colorize, colorless, etc; see below). Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the u has been retained.
colour(Noun)
A standard or banner.
The loss of their colours destroyed the regiment's morale.
Etymology: From color, via colour (Early Anglo-Norman culur). The US spelling, which excludes the u, was chosen to conform to the word's Latin origin, and to make all derivatives consistent (colorimeter, colorize, colorless, etc; see below). Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the u has been retained.
colour(Noun)
The system of colour television.
This film is broadcast in colour.
Etymology: From color, via colour (Early Anglo-Norman culur). The US spelling, which excludes the u, was chosen to conform to the word's Latin origin, and to make all derivatives consistent (colorimeter, colorize, colorless, etc; see below). Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the u has been retained.
colour(Noun)
An award for sporting achievement, particularly within a school or university.
He was awarded colours for his football.
Etymology: From color, via colour (Early Anglo-Norman culur). The US spelling, which excludes the u, was chosen to conform to the word's Latin origin, and to make all derivatives consistent (colorimeter, colorize, colorless, etc; see below). Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the u has been retained.
colour(Verb)
To give something colour.
We could colour the walls red.
Etymology: From color, via colour (Early Anglo-Norman culur). The US spelling, which excludes the u, was chosen to conform to the word's Latin origin, and to make all derivatives consistent (colorimeter, colorize, colorless, etc; see below). Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the u has been retained.
colour(Verb)
To apply colours to the areas within the boundaries of a line drawing using coloured markers or crayons.
My son loves to colour.
Etymology: From color, via colour (Early Anglo-Norman culur). The US spelling, which excludes the u, was chosen to conform to the word's Latin origin, and to make all derivatives consistent (colorimeter, colorize, colorless, etc; see below). Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the u has been retained.
colour(Verb)
Of a face: To become red through increased blood flow, implying due to strong emotion.
Her face coloured as she realised her mistake.
Etymology: From color, via colour (Early Anglo-Norman culur). The US spelling, which excludes the u, was chosen to conform to the word's Latin origin, and to make all derivatives consistent (colorimeter, colorize, colorless, etc; see below). Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the u has been retained.
colour(Verb)
To affect without completely changing.
That interpretation certainly colours my perception of the book.
Etymology: From color, via colour (Early Anglo-Norman culur). The US spelling, which excludes the u, was chosen to conform to the word's Latin origin, and to make all derivatives consistent (colorimeter, colorize, colorless, etc; see below). Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the u has been retained.
colour(Verb)
To attribute a quality to.
Colour me confused.
Etymology: From color, via colour (Early Anglo-Norman culur). The US spelling, which excludes the u, was chosen to conform to the word's Latin origin, and to make all derivatives consistent (colorimeter, colorize, colorless, etc; see below). Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the u has been retained.
colour(Noun)
A property of quarks, with three values called red, green, and blue, which they can exchange by passing gluons.
Etymology: From color, via colour (Early Anglo-Norman culur). The US spelling, which excludes the u, was chosen to conform to the word's Latin origin, and to make all derivatives consistent (colorimeter, colorize, colorless, etc; see below). Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the u has been retained.
colour(Noun)
The relative lightness or darkness of a mass of written or printed text on a page.
Etymology: From color, via colour (Early Anglo-Norman culur). The US spelling, which excludes the u, was chosen to conform to the word's Latin origin, and to make all derivatives consistent (colorimeter, colorize, colorless, etc; see below). Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the u has been retained.
colour(Noun)
Any of the coloured balls excluding the reds.
Etymology: From color, via colour (Early Anglo-Norman culur). The US spelling, which excludes the u, was chosen to conform to the word's Latin origin, and to make all derivatives consistent (colorimeter, colorize, colorless, etc; see below). Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the u has been retained.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

Colour(noun)
see Color

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

Colour
A colour is a name for certain kinds of flags. ⁕On land, it usually refers to regimental colours, but the term is also used outside military situations - for example, Boys Brigade as well as the Scout and Girl Guide flags are known as colours. ⁕At sea, the term "flying the colours" refers to a warship sailing on the high seas and flying its national ensign, thereby making its presence known to other naval powers.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

Colour
kul′ur, n. a property of light which causes bodies to have different appearances to the eye: the hue or appearance which bodies present to the eye: appearance of blood in the face: appearance: pretext: tint: paint: false show: kind: (pl.) a flag, ensign, or standard: paints.—v.t. to put colour on: to stain: to paint: to set in a fair light: to exaggerate: to misrepresent.—v.i. to show colour: to blush.—adjs. Colorif′ic, containing or producing colours; Col′ourable, having a fair appearance: designed to conceal.—adv. Col′ourably.—n. Colourā′tion.—adj. Col′our-blind, unable to distinguish between colours.—n. Col′our-blind′ness.—adjs. Col′oured, having colour: (Spens.) having a specious appearance, deceitful: of the complexion, other than white.—ns. Col′ouring, any substance used to give colour: manner of applying colours: specious appearance; Col′ourist, one who colours or paints: one who excels in colouring.—adj. Col′ourless, without colour: transparent: neutral.—ns. Col′ourman, one who prepares and sells colours; Col′our-ser′geant, the sergeant who guards the colours of a regiment.—adj. Col′oury, having much colour.—Colour a pipe, to cause a tobacco-pipe, esp. a meerschaum, to take on a brown or black colour, by smoking.—A person of colour, a person of negro blood.—Change colour, to turn pale: to blush; Come off with flying colours, to do something with great éclat; Come out in one's true colours, to appear in one's real character; Desert one's colours, to abandon one's post or duty; Fast colour, a colour which does not fade when washed; Fight under false colours, to put forward a false pretence as a cover for one's actions; Give colour, to give plausibility: Hang out false colours, to put up another's flag, to pretend to belong to another party than one really does; High colour, pronounced redness of complexion; Lose colour, to lose one's good looks; Nail one's colours to the mast, to commit one's self to some party or plan of action; Off colour, faded: past one's best; Paint in bright colours, to embellish: to exaggerate; Primary colours, the three colours, red, green, and violet, from which the others, called Secondary colours, can be obtained; Show one's colours, to show what are one's inclinations, opinions, or character; Stick to one's colours, to adhere to one's party or opinions; Under colour of, under the pretext of; Without colour, without disguise: colourless: without individuality. [Fr.,—L. color; akin to celāre, to cover, to conceal.]

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

colour
A visual attribute of a person, people, plant, nature, or thing that results from the light emitted, transmitted or reflected.
Colour is beautiful and looks amazing when a colour is painted with another.
Submitted by MaryC on April 14, 2020
colour
Is the visual perceptual quality seen through the eyes of a human or animal derived from the spectrum of light visible in and through the eyes.
Colours are vital for our perception of life, they bring so much joy.
Submitted by MaryC on April 14, 2020

Suggested Resources(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

colour
Song lyrics by colour -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by colour on the Lyrics.com website.

British National Corpus

Spoken Corpus Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'colour' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #932
Written Corpus Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'colour' in Written Corpus Frequency: #841
Nouns Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'colour' in Nouns Frequency: #255
Verbs Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'colour' in Verbs Frequency: #999

Anagrams for colour »

courol

How to pronounce colour?

Alex
US English
Daniel
British
Karen
Australian
Veena
Indian

How to say colour in sign language?

Numerology

Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of colour in Chaldean Numerology is: 1
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of colour in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of colour in a Sentence

Oscar Wilde:
One should absorb the colour of life, but one should never remember its details. Details are always vulgar.
Letitia Elizabeth Landon:
'Tis a strange mystery, the power of words! Life is in them, and death. A word can send The crimson colour hurrying to the cheek. Hurrying with many meanings; or can turn The current cold and deadly to the heart. Anger and fear are in them; grief and joy Are on their sound; yet slight, impalpable:-- A word is but a breath of passing air.
Francois Curiel:
It is absolutely a top price for a stone of this quality, because of its colour. There are few pink-pink the way this one was, it shows we are dealing with a very healthy stone market.
Ehsan Sehgal:
One cannot impose its nationalism and ethnicity, except a legal dispute, on the ground of language, creed, caste, race, and colour upon a major host of it, who provided shelter and refuge as the human rights context. Indeed, it pictures the grave dishonesty, misrepresentation, even traitorous motives.
David Bennett:
For me the Blue Moon was always the blue diamond of my career. I've never seen a more beautiful stone - its shape, colour and purity. It's a magical stone.