ocher

American  

[oh-ker] / ˈoʊ kər /

Or ochre

noun

1. any of a class of natural earths, mixtures of hydrated oxide of iron with various earthy materials, ranging in color from pale yellow to orange and red, and used as pigments.

2. the color of this, ranging from pale yellow to an orangish or reddish yellow.

3. Obsolete. money, especially gold coin.

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adjective

1. of the color of ocher.

verb (used with object)

ochered, ochering

1. to color or mark with ocher.

ocher British  

/ ˈəʊkə /

noun

1. the US spelling of ochre

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Other Word Forms

• ocherous
  adjective
• ochery
  adjective
• ochroid
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of ocher

1350–1400; Middle English oker < Old French ocre < Latin ōchrā < Greek ṓchrā yellow ocher

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ocher ochered

Burnt-sienna vines twist through simmering ocher air, while flora sprout through these roiling masses in hues of chromium oxide and cadmium green.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

Towering at 300 feet tall, the crumbly ocher cliffs of Palos Verdes Estates boast breathtaking views of Los Angeles’ coastline.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2025

This occurs when a thick glaze contracts during firing into separate little islands on the exposed clay, which Lane often stained with yellow or ocher for greater contrast.

From New York Times ● Jul. 6, 2023

One of the structures has become known as “the red palace” because of the red ocher pigment on the floor and walls.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023

Racing through the ocher light, Bigwig was impelled by a frenzy of tension and energy.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

As a precaution against attack by hostile forces in the dark, the tribesmen recruited a "home guard" of Samburu, armed with spears and with hair ochered to frighten off any evil-minded people.

From Time Magazine Archive

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