dye

[dahy]

noun

1. a coloring material or matter.

2. a liquid containing coloring matter, for imparting a particular hue to cloth, paper, etc.

3. color or hue, especially as produced by dyeing.

verb (used with object)

dyed, dyeing 

1. to color or stain; treat with a dye; color (cloth, hair, etc.) with a substance containing coloring matter.

   to dye a dress green.

2. to impart (color) by means of a dye.

   The coloring matter dyed green.

verb (used without object)

dyed, dyeing 

1. to impart color, as a dye.

   This brand dyes well.

2. to become colored or absorb color when treated with a dye.

   This cloth dyes easily.

dye

/ daɪ /

noun

1. a staining or colouring substance, such as a natural or synthetic pigment

2. a liquid that contains a colouring material and can be used to stain fabrics, skins, etc

3. the colour or shade produced by dyeing

verb

1. (tr) to impart a colour or stain to (something, such as fabric or hair) by or as if by the application of a dye

Other Word Forms

• dyable adjective
• dyeable adjective
• dyer noun
• redye verb (used with object)
• undyable adjective
• undyed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dye¹

before 1000; Middle English dien, Old English dēagian, derivative of dēag a dye

Word History and Origins

Origin of dye¹

Old English dēagian, from dēag a dye; related to Old High German tugōn to change, Lettish dūkans dark

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. of the deepest / blackest dye, of the most extreme or the worst sort.

   a prevaricator of the blackest dye.

Example Sentences

Kennedy has called on food companies to remove all synthetic dyes, which he has said are poisoning American children.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The bag’s front trumpets the lack of artificial flavors and dyes; the back describes Herman Lay’s original chip recipe, which PepsiCo says is still in use but has evolved over more than 80 years.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

In 2023, Gabriel authored the California Food Safety Act, which prohibits several food additives — including red dye No. 3 — that are commonly found in soda, candy and cereal.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But on the plus side, Kennedy is going after food dyes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There is more to Noah Lyles than just the showmanship, the grandstanding and the dyed orange hair.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• pigment 
• stain 
• tint