dye
Americannoun
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dyes
plural
-
a coloring material or matter.
-
a liquid containing coloring matter, for imparting a particular hue to cloth, paper, etc.
-
color or hue, especially as produced by dyeing.
verb (used with object)
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dyes,
present (3rd person singular)
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dyed,
past participle, past
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dyeing
present participle
-
to color or stain; treat with a dye; color (cloth, hair, etc.) with a substance containing coloring matter.
to dye a dress green.
-
to impart (color) by means of a dye.
The coloring matter dyed green.
verb (used without object)
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dyes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
dyed,
past participle, past
-
dyeing
present participle
-
to impart color, as a dye.
This brand dyes well.
-
to become colored or absorb color when treated with a dye.
This cloth dyes easily.
idioms
noun
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a staining or colouring substance, such as a natural or synthetic pigment
-
a liquid that contains a colouring material and can be used to stain fabrics, skins, etc
-
the colour or shade produced by dyeing
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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dyernoun
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redyeverb (used with object)
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dyableadjective
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dyeableadjective
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undyableadjective
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undyedadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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dyesimple
-
dyessimple
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have dyedperfect
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has dyedperfect
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am dyeingprogressive
-
are dyeingprogressive
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is dyeingprogressive
-
have been dyeingperfect progressive
-
has been dyeingperfect progressive
Past
-
dyedsimple
-
had dyedperfect
-
was dyeingprogressive
-
were dyeingprogressive
-
had been dyeingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of dye
before 1000; Middle English dien, Old English dēagian, derivative of dēag a dye
Explanation
Dye is a substance that's used to change the color of whatever it's applied to. You can use hair dye to change your light brown hair to deep, dark purple. Dye is used on fabrics, hair, yarn and other fibers, clothing, and food, among other things. When you apply dye to something, you dye it. If you're baking a birthday cake for your friend who loves the color orange, you might use food coloring — a type of dye — to dye the vanilla frosting orange. The Old English root of dye is deah, "a color or hue," which is possibly related to deagol, "secret, hidden, or dark."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Ruisard said the only difference in the diesel used by truck drivers and everyday consumers and the tax-free red dye diesel is the dye itself.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
Residual dye lingers in tanks and fuel systems, Neuman said, adding that “even trace amounts in clear diesel can bring IRS and state penalties outside the waiver window.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026
Synthetic indigo, commonly used to dye bluejeans, can contain aniline, a manufacturing impurity that can slowly leach from clothing and penetrate skin, says Valenta.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026
Typically, the sweltering season will prompt the Swedish singer-songwriter to do something new, like dye her hair black or switch up her personal style.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026
“If you really want to impress Posy, you’ll have to dye yourself bright pink,” says Gale, thumping his tray down beside mine.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
Traditionally, Japanese convenience stores have also required workers to adhere to relatively conservative dress codes, including bans on certain hair dyes and large earrings.
From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026
These include PFAS—or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances—to repel water and stains, formaldehyde-releasing resins to resist wrinkles, biocides to control odor, silicone softeners and dyes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026
When infrared light hits the nanoparticles, the dyes first capture the incoming energy.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 20, 2026
In-N-Out Burger this week announced several menu changes in line with a recent push to reduce use of artificial dyes and processed ingredients.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
"Her purple and blue dyes, in return for cloth."
From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda
Plus, the U.S. will temporarily allow highway sales of dyed diesel, and Persian Gulf oil producers pay millions to move crude.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Once dyed diesel is allowed for highway use, theft would be an “unintended consequence,” said Arrington.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026
"I dyed my hair and skin and reduced my clothing to tatters. I carried my stuff in sacks."
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
Jimin, his hair grown long and dyed blond, was the night’s standout in a mesh top he paired with what looked an awful lot like somebody’s grandpa’s fishing vest.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
"I gave her a tan by pouring on my mom's instant tanning lotion. It made her turn orange. I dyed her hair blond with my mom's hair dye. It made her hair break!"
From "Sleepover Sleuths: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #1" by Carolyn Keene
"Some start wearing shorter skirts or dyeing their hair. Once people begin expressing themselves, it affects a system where everyone is supposed to think and move together."
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
With spinning, weaving, dyeing and knitting facilities -- the Glo-Djigbe site exported its first garments in 2024 for the French retailer Kiabi, followed by other international brands such as US Polo.
From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026
The researchers hope their findings will encourage more thorough testing of clothing before it reaches consumers and push manufacturers to adopt safer alternatives during the dyeing process.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 2, 2026
I could try to combat inescapable existential dread by dyeing my hair.
From Salon ● Dec. 22, 2025
“The workers are finished. Alter the Gathering and this year’s Song, you’ll be able to start dyeing new threads for the robe.”
From "Gathering Blue" by Lois Lowry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
