discoloration

American  

[dis-kuhl-uh-rey-shuhn] / dɪsˌkʌl əˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or fact of discoloring or the state of being discolored.

2. a discolored marking or area; stain.

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Other Word Forms

• self-discoloration
  noun

Etymology

Origin of discoloration

First recorded in 1635–45; discolor + -ation

Explanation

A discoloration is a change in something's color, usually for the worse. A shirt fading is a type of discoloration. When the color of something gets dingier, duller, or faded, this process is called discoloration. Rust on a car is a type of discoloration. A coffee stain is a type of discoloration. If a person looks green because they're sick, that's a type of discoloration. Most things suffer discoloration over time, because everything ages and fades over time. If you wash a red t-shirt enough times, discoloration might eventually make it pink.

Example Sentences

It could not be toxic, enter the bloodstream, or cause discoloration of teeth.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

The crew chief, Adrian Johnson, took the bat and called a review to verify the legality of the discoloration on barrel.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2025

One of the issues Dr Lee said the panel had found was that skin discoloration noted on some of the babies was, he claimed, wrongly attributed to air embolus by the prosecution.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2025

"Stream discoloration was associated with dramatic declines in macroinvertebrate diversity and fish abundance," the authors write.

From Salon • May 24, 2024

Mariama pointed at the smallest of the braiders, who had a skin condition, pinkish-cream whorls of discoloration on her arms and neck that looked worryingly infectious.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• blemish