colorable
Americanadjective
-
capable of being colored.
-
seemingly valid, true, or genuine; plausible.
-
pretended; deceptive.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of colorable
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at color, -able
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.
On top of a colorable selective and vindictive motion, Bolton may also have legal ethics claims for unfair pre-trail publicity and conflicts of interest.
From Salon • Oct. 19, 2025
“We are very happy that the court has acknowledged that the plaintiffs have brought colorable constitutional claims forward,” said Mike Laux, an attorney for the teachers and students who filed suit.
From Seattle Times • May 8, 2024
“And I think Florida State knows that as well. I think they threw in anything they could potentially think of as a colorable argument to get them out of the grant-of-rights agreement.”
From Washington Times • Dec. 22, 2023
“How many cases will there be with a colorable claim of incitement against the president?” the judge asked.
From Washington Post • Dec. 7, 2022
But in the movings after each eight are dealt, I shall consciously choose and judge, which is pure free will—or an imitation of it sufficiently colorable to satisfy any, but quibblers.
From The Boss of Little Arcady by Wilson, Harry Leon
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.
