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.
“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
To get removal, a federal officer must show that the indicted conduct is both under the auspices of his official duties and "a colorable federal defense," meaning it can defeat the charge.
From Salon ● Sep. 1, 2023
“Here there is simply no colorable claim of ownership over the broad ideas, public data, and common techniques expressed in the decree,” Melloy wrote.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 3, 2023
Experts agree that there are colorable grounds under which some claims of either executive privilege or 5th Amendment privilege against self-incrimination might apply.
From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2021
As to the facts, partly true, and partly colorable, as they stand recorded, they are in substance these.
From The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 03 (of 12) by Edmund Burke
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