discolor
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of discolor
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
Explanation
If you wash your favorite white shirt with a brand new, bright red towel, your shirt is probably going to discolor, or change color from white to pink. Use the verb discolor when something fades or alters in color. Your teeth might discolor from drinking too much black tea, and you might notice your beach towel discoloring after a summer spent at the seaside. The word discolor has been in use since the fourteenth century, and it comes from the Old French descolorer, with colorer meaning "to color."
Vocabulary lists containing discolor
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.
Some vitamins, such as folic acid, can discolor urine and lead to inaccurate results.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2025
As she “gets sciency,” she discussed the use of clear hangers made of a proprietary blend that doesn’t release gasses that could discolor a garment or leach chemicals.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 26, 2023
There was a learning curve to working with the tape; it requires ironing, for instance, and at first it would discolor or burn when he soldered the jewelry.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 16, 2023
In terms of fruit, I don't opt for apples here because they discolor so quickly.
From Salon ● Feb. 12, 2022
Soaps for shaving made in this manner are very unsatisfactory, as they do not produce a sufficiently thick or lasting lather and discolor very materially upon ageing.
From Soap-Making Manual A Practical Handbook on the Raw Materials, Their Manipulation, Analysis and Control in the Modern Soap Plant. by E. G. Thomssen
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
