noun | verb | adjective
colorcolor1 /ˈkʌlɚ/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 1RED/BLUE/GREEN ETC. [countable, uncountable] red, blue, yellow, green, brown, purple, etc.: Red is her favorite color. What color are his eyes?in a color Is it available in other colors? She usually wears bright colors. The walls were a very light color – almost white. Her hair was a strange yellowish color. The sky was changing color.in color The birds are golden in color. There’s a wide range of colors to choose from.2COLOR IN GENERAL [uncountable] the bright appearance of something, or the fact that it has a lot of different colors: There’s not enough color in the design. Summer flowers add color to a backyard.a blaze/riot of color (=a lot of different bright colors) The sunset was a blaze of color.3SUBSTANCE [countable, uncountable] a substance such as paint or dye that makes something red, blue, yellow, etc.: The blue drink contains artificial colors. Wash jeans separately, because the color may run.a lip/nail/hair color The company has come out with a new line of lip colors.4somebody'S RACE [countable, uncountable] how dark or light someone’s skin is: The community is made up of people of all colors. There must be no discrimination based on skin color in this school. → see also colored25a person/man/woman of color someone who is not white: I’m the only person of color in my class.6somebody'S FACE [uncountable] the reddish color in the skin of someone’s face, especially when this shows the state of his or her health or emotions: A walk will put some color in your cheeks. Slowly the color drained from her face (=she became pale). At the mention of her name, the color rose in his cheeks (=his face became red).7something INTERESTING [uncountable] interesting and exciting details or qualities that a place or person has: The old town is full of color. A few personal stories can help add color to your writing (=make it more interesting).a color analyst/commentator (=someone who gives interesting details about players, games in the past, etc. while telling you about a sports game you are watching or listening to)8in color a television program or movie that is in color contains colors such as red, green, and blue, rather than just black and white: Is the movie in color or in black and white? Footage of the war was broadcast in living color (=in colors rather than black and white).9colors [plural] the colors that are used as a sign to represent a team, school, club, country, etc.: Fans wore shirts with the team colors.10somebody’s colors colors that someone likes, or colors that make the person who wears them look good: Pink and gray are my colors.11see the color of somebody’s money spoken to have definite proof that someone has enough money to pay for something → see also with flying colors at flying1 (2), off-color, show your true colors at show1 (17)COLLOCATIONSadjectivesa light/pale color (=not dark or strong) Light colors make a room look larger.a pastel color (=pale blue, pink, yellow, or green) The baby’s room was painted in pastel colors.a dark color People tend to wear darker colors in the winter.a bright/strong color Bright colors look good in the sunlight.a bold/vivid/vibrant/brilliant color (=bright in a way that is exciting) His paintings are known for their use of bold colors.a rich color (=strong, dark, and beautiful or expensive-looking) I love the rich colors in oriental rugs.a deep color (=dark and attractive) Her eyes were a deep brown color.a red/green/blue etc. color Our door was painted a bright red color.a reddish/greenish/bluish etc. color (=slightly red, green, blue, etc.) The glass used for bottles is often a greenish color.a primary color (=red, yellow, or blue) Children’s clothes are often in primary colors.a neutral color (=white or cream and colors that go with most colors easily) People usually use neutral colors in offices.a loud color (=very bright in a way that looks unpleasant or funny) He liked to wear ties in loud colors.a gaudy/garish color (=loud and usually showing bad taste) The owners of the restaurant had painted it in gaudy colors – the walls were bright orange.a soft color (=pleasant and not very strong) Soft colors make people feel more relaxed.a subtle color (=pleasant, not strong, and a little unusual) The red looks too bright – do you have any more subtle colors?a warm color (=pleasant and containing some yellow, orange, or red) The old farmhouse is beautifully decorated with warm colors, which give it a cozy feeling.a cool color They painted the room a cool blue color.complementary colors (=ones that look nice together) Blue and orange are complementary colors.contrasting colors (=ones that are different from each other in a way that looks attractive) You need to have one or two contrasting colors in the room.a matching color (=one that is the same as something else) I bought some gloves and a scarf in a matching color.pure color (=a color that is not mixed with any other color) The painting has spots of pure color among the grays and browns.verbsa color fades (=becomes less bright) The color of the curtains had faded in the sun.a color matches something (=it is the same color) The color in this can of paint doesn’t match the walls.a color clashes (with something) (=it looks very unattractive when next to another color) Do you think the color of this tie clashes with my shirt?change color The lizard changes color when it is frightened.color + nounsa color scheme (=the colors used in a room, painting etc.) Have you decided on a color scheme for your new house?a color combination We looked at various color combinations and in the end we decided to have a cream carpet and pale blue walls. noun | verb | adjective
colorcolor2 ●●○ verb 1
[transitive] to make something change color, especially by using dye: Does she color her hair? Our wool is colored with natural dyes.color something red/blue etc. Sunset colored the sky red.2[intransitive, transitive] (also color in) to put color onto a drawing or picture, or to draw a picture using colored pencils, crayons, etc.: Give Grandma the picture you colored, Jenny. Kids love to color. He drew a fish and colored it in.3[transitive] to influence the way someone thinks about something, especially so that he or she becomes less fair or reasonable: Critics say the plan is colored by party politics.color somebody’s judgment/opinions/attitudes etc. Don’t let your personal feelings color your judgment.4[intransitive] formal when someone colors, his or her face becomes redder because of embarrassment → see also color code at code2 (3) noun | verb | adjective
colorcolor3 adjective a color television/photograph/movie etc. a television, photograph, etc. that produces or shows pictures in color rather than in black, white, and gray OPP black and white, monochrome