dye

[ dahy ]

/ daɪ /

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See synonyms for: dye / dyed on Thesaurus.com

noun

a coloring material or matter.

a liquid containing coloring matter, for imparting a particular hue to cloth, paper, etc.

color or hue, especially as produced by dyeing.

verb (used with object), dyed, dye·ing.

to color or stain; treat with a dye; color (cloth, hair, etc.) with a substance containing coloring matter: to dye a dress green.

to impart (color) by means of a dye: The coloring matter dyed green.

verb (used without object), dyed, dye·ing.

to impart color, as a dye: This brand dyes well.

to become colored or absorb color when treated with a dye: This cloth dyes easily.

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

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Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

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Idioms about dye

of the deepest / blackest dye, of the most extreme or the worst sort: a prevaricator of the blackest dye.

Origin of dye

before 1000; Middle English dien,Old English dēagian, derivative of dēag a dye

OTHER WORDS FROM dye

dy·a·ble, dye·a·ble, adjectivedyer, nounre·dye, verb (used with object), re·dyed, re·dy·ing.un·dy·a·ble, adjective

un·dyed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH dye

die, dye

Words nearby dye

dyarchy, Dyaus, Dyazide, dybbuk, Dyce, dye, dyed-in-the-wool, dyeing, dyeline, Dyer, Dyerma

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use dye in a sentence

Hence, Shankar partnered with a company in Tirupur that uses plant-based dyes like marigold or myrobalan.
How a Wasteland Shrub Is Becoming the Next Big Thing in Fashion|Daniel Malloy|August 28, 2020|Ozy
Though they’re favored for speed and quality, synthetic dyes can include formaldehyde and heavy metals which stain the skin and cause cancer.
Scientists Gene-Hack Cotton Plants to Make Them Every Color of the Rainbow|Jason Dorrier|August 11, 2020|Singularity Hub
In textile manufacturing, which often takes place in developing countries, those harmful dyes can cause health problems for workers and do more damage as toxic runoff.
Scientists Gene-Hack Cotton Plants to Make Them Every Color of the Rainbow|Jason Dorrier|August 11, 2020|Singularity Hub
By making the dye, the scientists could study its chemistry without experimenting on priceless works of art, she points out.
Ancient recipes helped scientists resurrect a long-lost blue hue|Carolyn Wilke|May 26, 2020|Science News For Students

The researchers used many techniques to analyze the dye and identify its chemical structure.
Ancient recipes helped scientists resurrect a long-lost blue hue|Carolyn Wilke|May 26, 2020|Science News For Students
They dye their hair and alter their clothes, but not enough to attract attention from authorities.
North Korea’s Secret Movie Bootleggers: How Western Films Make It Into the Hermit Kingdom|Lizzie Crocker|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Spilling from the old vehicle were hippies of all eras decked out in tie-dye and top hats bejeweled with feathers and beads.
On the Road With Kesey's (Drug-Free) Acid Test|Nina Strochlic|August 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The fringes of the scarf lead to a collection of kitsch photos colored in purple dye.
Shining a Spotlight on Mexico’s Iconic Textile—the Rebozo|Liza Foreman|June 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When John entertained he would fill the bath with ice and sprinkle blue food dye all over it.
When Downtown Was Cool: Mario Batali, Simon Doonan, Wynton Marsalis Remember the Good Old Days|The Daily Beast|April 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Fame came only after Cohn pressured her to diet, dye her hair, cap her teeth, and change her name.
Should We Give Kim Novak a Break on the Oscar Plastic Surgery Hate-Tweeting?|Lizzie Crocker|March 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Almost thrusting mademoiselle aside, Garnache stood out to face him, the flush of hot anger showing through the dye on his cheeks.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
No; keepe emFor your owne sins, you Rogues, till you repent: Youll dye else and be damnd.
The Fatal Dowry|Philip Massinger
Ile dye first.Farewell, continue merry, and high HeauenKeepe your wife chaste.
The Fatal Dowry|Philip Massinger
In some cases the mordant is added to the dye liquid; in others the material is previously treated with it before being colored.
Philippine Mats|Hugo H. Miller
The plant bears burs containing many small reddish seeds, from the pulp of which the dye is obtained.
Philippine Mats|Hugo H. Miller

British Dictionary definitions for dye

dye

/ (daɪ) /

noun

a staining or colouring substance, such as a natural or synthetic pigment

a liquid that contains a colouring material and can be used to stain fabrics, skins, etc

the colour or shade produced by dyeing

verb dyes, dyeing or dyed

(tr) to impart a colour or stain to (something, such as fabric or hair) by or as if by the application of a dye

Derived forms of dye

dyable or dyeable, adjectivedyer, noun

Word Origin for dye

Old English dēagian, from dēag a dye; related to Old High German tugōn to change, Lettish dūkans dark

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for dye

dye

[ dī ]

A substance used to color materials or substances, such as cells, tissues, and microorganisms.