Definitions for colour
ˈkʌl ərcolour

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

1. coloring material, colouring material, color, colournoun

   any material used for its color

   "she used a different color for the trim"

2. color, colour, people of color, people of colournoun

   a race with skin pigmentation different from the white race (especially Blacks)

3. color, colournoun

   (physics) the characteristic of quarks that determines their role in the strong interaction

   "each flavor of quarks comes in three colors"

4. color, colour, vividnessnoun

   interest and variety and intensity

   "the Puritan Period was lacking in color"; "the characters were delineated with exceptional vividness"

5. color, colour, coloration, colourationnoun

   the timbre of a musical sound

   "the recording fails to capture the true color of the original music"

6. color, colour, coloring, colouringnoun

   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"

7. semblance, gloss, color, colournoun

   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"

8. color, colouradjective

   the appearance of objects (or light sources) described in terms of a person's perception of their hue and lightness (or brightness) and saturation

9. color, colourverb

   having or capable of producing colors

   "color film"; "he rented a color television"; "marvelous color illustrations"

10. color, colourverb

    modify or bias

    "His political ideas color his lectures"

11. color, colour, emblazonverb

    decorate with colors

    "color the walls with paint in warm tones"

12. color, colour, glossverb

    give a deceptive explanation or excuse for

    "color a lie"

13. tinge, color, colour, distortverb

    affect as in thought or feeling

    "My personal feelings color my judgment in this case"; "The sadness tinged his life"

14. color, colorize, colorise, colourise, colourize, colour, color in, colour inverb

    add color to

    "The child colored the drawings"; "Fall colored the trees"; "colorize black and white film"

15. discolor, discolour, colour, colorverb

    change color, often in an undesired manner

    "The shirts discolored"

Wiktionary(4.00 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

1. colournoun

   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.

2. colournoun

   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.

3. colournoun

   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.

4. colournoun

   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.

5. colournoun

   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.

6. colournoun

   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.

7. colournoun

   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.

8. colournoun

   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.

9. colournoun

   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.

10. colourverb

    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.

11. colourverb

    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.

12. colourverb

    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.

13. colourverb

    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.

14. colourverb

    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.

15. colournoun

    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.

16. colournoun

    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.

17. colournoun

    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:

1. Colournoun

   see Color

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. 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:

1. 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:

1. 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  

2. 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:

1. colour

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

Matched Categories

1. • Affect
   • Appearance
   • Change
   • Excuse
   • High-energy Physics
   • Interest
   • Kind
   • Timbre
   • Visual Property

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'colour' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #932

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'colour' in Written Corpus Frequency: #841

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'colour' in Nouns Frequency: #255

4. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'colour' in Verbs Frequency: #999

Anagrams for colour »

1. courol

How to pronounce colour?

1. Alex

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

How to say colour in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of colour in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of colour in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of colour in a Sentence

1. Ehsan Sehgal:

   My poetry colour is cosmos that executes cosmology.

2. Google Translate:

   In the smoke haze, the most abundant particles are around onemicrometre in size, but these particles do not change the colour of the light we see, there are also smaller particles, around 0.05 micrometres or less, that dont make up a lot of the haze but are still somewhat more abundant during a haze period [than a normal non-haze period]... but this is enough to give an extra tendency to scatter red light more in the forward and backward directions than blue light - and that is why would you see more red than blue.

3. Ehsan Sehgal:

   What does mean a journalist? In my view, a journalist, who has not any improper, wrong and favouring connections with any party, groups or religious schools of thought; he, who just writes the facts and realities regardless caste, creed, and colour, and the personal interests. He, who respects every person as a human with dignity and honour; he, who is not a tool of the masterminds. The journalistic principle is only “fairness with morality.” A real journalist is more than the holy person because of that person, maybe anyone of any particular religion, but a journalist is for all the humans; he who has not such qualities, can be everything, but not a journalist.

4. EMEASOBA GEORGE:

   Beyond measure i.e. to a very great extent true love, quality education, equal rights and justice are really all we need to make the world a better place. Yes! you heard me right, although money is needed. But, it's not paramount. I mean, money alone cannot and will never make the world a better place. Thus, let's give or showcase true love, sound education, equal rights and justice to all and sundry regardless of sex, race, religion, tribe or colour IMHO in my humble (honest) opinion. ~Emeasoba George

5. Massimo Bottura:

   Sometimes I wonder if guests are present at the table when they are obsessing about photographing everything they eat, one time a guest suggested I change the colour of the plates (from white to black) because he said the photographs would look better.

Images & Illustrations of colour

Popularity rank by frequency of use