colored

American  

[kuhl-erd] / ˈkʌl ərd /

adjective

1. having color.

2. Older Use: Offensive. belonging wholly or in part to any group of nonwhite people, especially to Black people.

3. Older Use: Offensive. pertaining to Black people.

4. influenced or biased.

   colored opinions.

5. specious; deceptive.

   The authorities detected a colored quality in her statement.

6. Botany. of some hue other than green.

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noun

1. Older Use: Offensive.

   1. a Black person.

   2. the colored, Black people as a group.

2. Cape Colored.

Sensitive Note

See Black ¹.

Usage

Spelling tips for colored The word colored is hard to spell for three reasons. First, it can be tempting to use a double l or double r. Second, in British English, the word is spelled with a u (colored), unlike in American English. Finally, the ending -ed is pronounced simply [ d ], so one may forget the e. How to spell colored: When it comes to color, keep it simple. You don't need any extra letters, like a double l, double r, or u. For adjectives like colored that end with the sound [ d ], remember that you will always need a little Extra (e) to get it Done, -ed.

Other Word Forms

• half-colored adjective
• uncolored adjective
• uncoloredly adverb
• uncoloredness noun
• undercolored adjective
• well-colored adjective

Etymology

Origin of colored

A Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325; see origin at color, -ed ³

Example Sentences

A Hansel-like puppet dressed in a frock made of leaves danced along to the song while fairy-like puppets made of brightly colored flowers swayed in circles around him.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

Each bird is fitted with colored leg rings, allowing researchers to monitor behavior, health, and genetics over many years.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

In the mornings, Christine eagerly awaits the brightly colored, highly vocal birds swooping into their garden, whooping their greetings before flying off into the junglelike foliage.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

Most of the partygoers wore brightly colored vintage outfits, often in geometric patterns, with lots of hats, scarves and jewelry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Cat thought of the rainbow of colored pencils, the drawings of ships with their detail and power, the maps of imaginary places.

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn