grayscale

American  

[grey-skeyl] / ˈgreɪˌskeɪl /

Or gray scale

noun

1. a scale of achromatic colors having several, usually ten, equal gradations ranging from white to black, used in television and photography.

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Etymology

Origin of grayscale

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

grayscale

“I can’t see the red text notification buttons when it’s in grayscale, so it doesn’t tempt me as much,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 7, 2026

In low light levels, only rods are able to absorb light, giving us grayscale vision.

From Salon ● Nov. 16, 2024

For children born with normal sight, converting color images to grayscale had no effect at all on their ability to recognize the depicted object.

From Science Daily ● May 23, 2024

You’ll definitely want to approach the Ladder as if it’s a playable movie, as a 1950s mail room, for instance, is presented in black-and-white, playing tricks with color and grayscale.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 10, 2024

They’re in grayscale and look grainy and distorted—they must be very old.

From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth