colorist

American  

[kuhl-er-ist] / ˈkʌl ər ɪst /

noun

1. a person who uses color skillfully.

2. a painter who emphasizes color relationships in a work of art.

3. a person who colors photographs.

4. a hairdresser who is skilled in coloring or tinting hair.

5. a musical performer or composer who is skilled in bringing musical color.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• coloristic
  adjective
• coloristically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of colorist

1680–90; color + -ist; compare French coloriste

Example Sentences

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Bessette’s former hair colorist, Brad Johns, reflected on the wig’s hair color as “burnt” and ashy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

“I’ve seen more clients experiencing shedding and thinning over the past few years,” says Liz Jung, a Los Angeles-based hair colorist.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

“He was an extremely nuanced colorist in his abstractions — they were very mysterious paintings,” said the dealer David Zwirner, who owns several Kwiatek pieces.

From New York Times • Apr. 24, 2023

It hired five barbers and colorists, compared with the lone barber and colorist from 2017.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 14, 2023

A colorist Adams is not, nor is he a dramatist.

From The Invisible Censor by Hackett, Francis