kaleidoscope

American  

[kuh-lahy-duh-skohp] / kəˈlaɪ dəˌskoʊp /

noun

• kaleidoscopes
  plural

1. 

   an optical instrument in which bits of glass, held loosely at the end of a rotating tube, are shown in continually changing symmetrical forms by reflection in two or more mirrors set at angles to each other.

2. a continually changing pattern of shapes and colors.

3. a continually shifting pattern, scene, or the like.

   The 1920s were a kaleidoscope of fads and fashions.

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kaleidoscope British  

/ kəˈlaɪdəˌskəʊp /

noun

1. an optical toy for producing symmetrical patterns by multiple reflections in inclined mirrors enclosed in a tube. Loose pieces of coloured glass, paper, etc, are placed between transparent plates at the far end of the tube, which is rotated to change the pattern

2. any complex pattern of frequently changing shapes and colours

3. a complicated set of circumstances

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• kaleidoscopic
  adjective
• kaleidoscopically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• kaleidoscopes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of kaleidoscope

1817; < Greek kal ( ós ) beautiful + eîdo ( s ) shape + -scope

Explanation

A kaleidoscope is a child's toy, a tube with a series of mirrors at one end that reflect multiple images of colored bits of glass or toys that move, creating constantly-changing images as you turn the tube. The toy kaleidoscope was invented around 1817 by Sir David Brewster. He took the name for his ever-changing picture tube from the Greek words kalos, "beautiful," combined with eidos, "shape." The "scope" part came from the Greek verb skopein, "to look," which can be found in many words referring to looking, including "telescope" and "microscope." The poet Lord Byron broadened the meaning of the word, giving it the sense of a "constantly changing pattern."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

kaleidoscope kaleidoscopes

The dotty pumpkins and kaleidoscope rooms of Yayoi Kusama, who has died aged 97, were as vibrant as the artist herself, but her exuberant work was the expression of a long battle with mental illness.

From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026

More than 50 different songs appear, sometimes impatiently cast aside by Mr. Luhrmann so he can jiggle and rotate his kaleidoscope again.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 19, 2026

Fireworks flared in a kaleidoscope of brilliant colours.

From BBC ● Feb. 11, 2026

Instead, Coogler methodically reminds the audience that this country has always been a multiracial kaleidoscope by meticulously portraying life in America just a century ago.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 24, 2026

I can tell from the way the sky starts to turn colors like a kaleidoscope.

From "Hurricane Child" by Kheryn Callender

This year the window displays include kaleidoscopes, a toy top that opens and closes and a marble run — a nod, Mr. Winton said, to Mr. John’s famous colorful, sequined costumes and elaborate sets.

From New York Times ● Nov. 27, 2022

Riots of autumn leaves turning blustery skies into kaleidoscopes.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 11, 2022

His “Photograms” are kaleidoscopes of shape and colour so glorious that the complexity of their composition quickly fades from the mind.

From Economist ● Sep. 27, 2017

Slow motion of water droplets illuminated to look like starbursts breaking apart midair, kaleidoscopes of smoke rings and skin rippling away from the pressure of an explosion are simply stunning in vivid color and contrast.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 3, 2017

The huge cypress trees she and her father pass on their morning walk are shimmering kaleidoscopes, each needle a polygon of light.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr