colour

American  

[kuhl-er] / ˈkʌl ər /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. color.

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colour British  

/ ˈkʌlə /

noun

1. 1. an attribute of things that results from the light they reflect, transmit, or emit in so far as this light causes a visual sensation that depends on its wavelengths

   2. the aspect of visual perception by which an observer recognizes this attribute

   3. the quality of the light producing this aspect of visual perception

   4. ( as modifier )

      colour vision

2. Also called: chromatic colour. 

   1. a colour, such as red or green, that possesses hue, as opposed to achromatic colours such as white or black

   2. ( as modifier ) Compare black-and-white

      a colour television

      a colour film

3. a substance, such as a dye, pigment, or paint, that imparts colour to something

4. 1. the skin complexion of a person, esp as determined by his race

   2. ( as modifier )

      colour prejudice

      colour problem

5. the use of all the hues in painting as distinct from composition, form, and light and shade

6. the quantity and quality of ink used in a printing process

7. the distinctive tone of a musical sound; timbre

8. vividness, authenticity, or individuality

   period colour

9. semblance or pretext (esp in the phrases take on a different colour, under colour of )

10. a precious mineral particle, esp gold, found in auriferous gravel

11. physics one of three characteristics of quarks, designated red, blue, or green, but having no relationship with the physical sensation

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verb

1. to give or apply colour to (something)

2. (tr) to give a convincing or plausible appearance to (something, esp to that which is spoken or recounted)

   to colour an alibi

3. (tr) to influence or distort (something, esp a report or opinion)

   anger coloured her judgment

4. to become red in the face, esp when embarrassed or annoyed

5. (intr) (esp of ripening fruit) to change hue

Spelling

See -or ¹.

Other Word Forms

• transcolour adjective

Etymology

Origin of colour

C13: from Old French colour from Latin color tint, hue

Example Sentences

The late queen was filmed in colour, buying a treat for a four-year-old Prince Edward in a shop, using money from her purse.

From BBC

It is made of more than 1,000 handblown coloured glass tiles, each inlaid with gold leaf, echoing the colours of the cathedral's stained-glass windows.

From BBC

Despite the different colours, the pink and red balls used in Australia do not offer different amounts of swing and seam movement to pace bowlers.

From BBC

"My tools are simple: a ruler, pencils, coloured pencils and glue," he says.

From BBC

Brightly coloured Gucci stilettos catch the eye from a distance; it's a treasure trove of top-label kit worth tens of thousands of pounds.

From BBC