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Synonyms

discoloration

American  
[dis-kuhl-uh-ray-shuhn] / dɪsˌkʌl əˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

  • discolorations
    plural
  1. the act or fact of discoloring or the state of being discolored.

  2. a discolored marking or area; stain.


Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns


Etymology

Origin of discoloration

First recorded in 1635–45; discolor + -ation


Explanation

A discoloration is a change in something's color, usually for the worse. A shirt fading is a type of discoloration. When the color of something gets dingier, duller, or faded, this process is called discoloration. Rust on a car is a type of discoloration. A coffee stain is a type of discoloration. If a person looks green because they're sick, that's a type of discoloration. Most things suffer discoloration over time, because everything ages and fades over time. If you wash a red t-shirt enough times, discoloration might eventually make it pink.

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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:

Experts say exfoliants and face washes containing glycolic acid can help discoloration fade.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

In .35% of patients, the injections can cause skin necrosis, the death of cells and body tissues, symptoms of which include pain, discoloration and loss of sensitivity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

The Park Police said grass samples have been collected for testing to determine what caused the discoloration of the lawn on the National Mall and the investigation is ongoing.

From Barron's ● Jun. 11, 2026

However, these same reactions can also weaken enamel, making teeth more vulnerable to future discoloration and other issues.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 23, 2026

The discoloration was back—a grime-gray streak across his palm where he’d clutched the slender shard.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Among the results, the trial revealed no signs of dangerous side effects such as heart problems, allergic reactions, or concerning skin discolorations.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 9, 2023

Solar flares come from sunspots, or bruiselike discolorations on the surface of the sun that pulsate with energy.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 12, 2023

Prof Kinsey told the court the skin discolorations observed on Child A had "cemented" her concerns that he had suffered an air embolus.

From BBC ● Nov. 29, 2022

All of them can infect cucurbits and lead to discolorations as well as unsightly bumps.

From Salon ● Oct. 30, 2022

Stacks of bunk beds, a chalkboard, bright blue cabinets that stretched from floor to ceiling, large windows boarded up with plywood, and strange square discolorations on the wall, where posters must have once hung.

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken

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