colour

American  

[kuhl-er] / ˈkʌl ər /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. color.

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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

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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

"Human eyes and brains are highly sensitive to subtle changes in colour, texture, and other surface characteristics," it says.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

"We have the first female onboard, who will go to the Moon for the first time , the very first person of colour among the crew as well," he added.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Apple's devices have over the years played with colour to set themselves apart from more staid competitors.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

Billed "scarlet red" with purple pinstripes by the SFA, Scotland football fans have questioned the colour of the so-called "retro" away kit, with many branding it coral, orange or Irn Bru colour.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

She’d expected someone who looked sick, but instead she is face-to-face with “a sturdy broad-shouldered man, with a healthy colour, a smile on his face and a very resolute appearance.”

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman