discolor

[dis-kuhl-er]

verb (used with object)

1. to change or spoil the color of; fade or stain.

verb (used without object)

1. to change color; become faded or stained.

Other Word Forms

• undiscolored adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of discolor¹

1350–1400; Middle English discolouren < Old French descolorer < Late Latin discolorārī to change color, derivative of Latin discolor of another color. See dis- ¹, color

Example Sentences

Some vitamins, such as folic acid, can discolor urine and lead to inaccurate results.

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The sun was melting the ice keeping the bags of sour cream cool, and the fruit was becoming discolored, with flies beginning to circle.

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In the mirror it was massive, taut and discolored.

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In the corner of the room, boxes and bags stuffed with clothes, towels and blankets that hadn’t been fouled by smoke from the Eaton fire sat next to a fish tank with discolored water.

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Residents in McDowell County, West Virginia — where one-third of families live in poverty — have for example given up on the often discolored water that flows from their taps and buy it by the case instead.

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Related Words

• defile 
• rust 
• sully