colour

American  

[kuhl-er] / ˈkʌl ər /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. color.

---

colour British  

/ ˈkʌlə /

noun

1. 1. an attribute of things that results from the light they reflect, transmit, or emit in so far as this light causes a visual sensation that depends on its wavelengths

   2. the aspect of visual perception by which an observer recognizes this attribute

   3. the quality of the light producing this aspect of visual perception

   4. ( as modifier )

      colour vision

2. Also called: chromatic colour. 

   1. a colour, such as red or green, that possesses hue, as opposed to achromatic colours such as white or black

   2. ( as modifier ) Compare black-and-white

      a colour television

      a colour film

3. a substance, such as a dye, pigment, or paint, that imparts colour to something

4. 1. the skin complexion of a person, esp as determined by his race

   2. ( as modifier )

      colour prejudice

      colour problem

5. the use of all the hues in painting as distinct from composition, form, and light and shade

6. the quantity and quality of ink used in a printing process

7. the distinctive tone of a musical sound; timbre

8. vividness, authenticity, or individuality

   period colour

9. semblance or pretext (esp in the phrases take on a different colour, under colour of )

10. a precious mineral particle, esp gold, found in auriferous gravel

11. physics one of three characteristics of quarks, designated red, blue, or green, but having no relationship with the physical sensation

---

verb

1. to give or apply colour to (something)

2. (tr) to give a convincing or plausible appearance to (something, esp to that which is spoken or recounted)

   to colour an alibi

3. (tr) to influence or distort (something, esp a report or opinion)

   anger coloured her judgment

4. to become red in the face, esp when embarrassed or annoyed

5. (intr) (esp of ripening fruit) to change hue

Spelling

See -or ¹.

Other Word Forms

• transcolour adjective

Etymology

Origin of colour

C13: from Old French colour from Latin color tint, hue

Example Sentences

Teyana Taylor, who is up for best supporting actress for One Battle After Another, is bang on trend with the colour of her silken ruffled dress, in a deep, rich brown.

From BBC

"The buttons are coloured to be the same colours as the Olympic rings - green, red, yellow, blue and black. It's very much my style."

From Barron's

Many of the looks featured this season's favourite colour - chocolate brown, along with earthy beiges and crisp whites.

From BBC

They are barred from wearing national colours or displaying their nation's flag, and do not appear on the official medal table.

From BBC

As well as drawing inspiration from series such as "The Hunger Games" or "Squid Game", it is rendered in bright and cold colours that give it a feel of the hit shooter video game "Fortnite".

From Barron's