local color
Americannoun
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distinctive, sometimes picturesque characteristics or peculiarities of a place or period as represented in literature or drama, or as observed in reality.
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Fine Arts. the natural color of a particular object as it appears in normal light.
Etymology
Origin of local color
First recorded in 1715–25
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.
He models himself on his father, whom he lives to impress, and points out at every opportunity that he has a business degree from “prestigious” Drexel University — Philadelphia local color.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 5, 2025
Hughes also predicted that global diets will become more uniform, since the loss of agricultural and livestock variety will lead to a loss of local color in diets.
From Salon ● May 4, 2023
Whether you’re looking for the best neutral paint color for your home or you’re ready for something a bit outside your comfort zone, start by considering these 15 factors, with tips from local color experts.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 14, 2021
Heat-Moon visited small towns like Subtle, Ky., and Scratch Ankle, Alaska, absorbing local color and wisdom.
From New York Times ● Jul. 28, 2020
They’re tourists, from Japan it looks like, a trade delegation perhaps, on a tour of the historic landmarks or out for local color.
From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
