Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

colorless

American  
[kuhl-er-lis] / ˈkʌl ər lɪs /

adjective

  1. without color.

    Pure water is colorless.

  2. pallid; dull in color.

    a colorless complexion.

  3. lacking vividness or distinctive character; dull; insipid.

    a colorless description of the parade.

    Synonyms:
    lackluster, drab, dreary, unexciting
  4. unbiased; neutral.


Other Word Forms

  • colorlessly adverb
  • colorlessness noun

Etymology

Origin of colorless

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; color, -less

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.

Contrary to popular belief, space food isn’t just freeze-dried packages or long tubes of bland, colorless and soulless slop.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

Under the direction of Sarah Frankcom, the actors inflect the dialogue with welcome variety, although the overall tone remains firmly dispassionate and emotionally colorless, as befits the dialogue’s cool tone.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

The colorless gas is also used to make chemicals found in products such as antifreeze, detergents, plastics and adhesives.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2025

Janet Simmelink—69, retired, and like many people in her milieu, visibly agitated—recently lingered on the outskirts of Denver’s Civic Center Park on a colorless evening, politely tolerating my questions.

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2025

He was oddly colorless, with transparent eyelashes, wispy hair, and an insubstantial air, as though a single gust of wind might blow him away.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling