primary color

American  

noun

primary colors plural

1. Art. a color, as red, yellow, or blue, that in mixture yields other colors.

2. Optics. any of a set of monochromatic colors, as red, green, and blue, that are added to match or specify the chromaticity of a stimulus or sample.

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primary color Scientific  

1. Any of a group of colors from which all other colors can be made by mixing.

2. See more at additive subtractive See Note at color

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• primary colors
  plural

Etymology

Origin of primary color

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

primary color

Dorji’s use of first-time or inexperienced actors results in a mixed bag of performances, but not to any disruptive degree: The primary color in his mosaic is a casual, even proud naivete.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 9, 2024

In this very orange Orange Bowl — both teams have it as their primary color — it was the Tennessee hue that was superior.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 30, 2022

With the aid of food coloring, he completed the red and blue portions of a planned primary color triptych before museum officials caught on that something more than a stomach bug was afoot.

From Slate ● Oct. 28, 2022

While the opening credits emphasize a primary color palette, the color red is featured in particular.

From Salon ● Oct. 19, 2021

The adulteration may not be perceptible in one primary color, but it is manifest when that color is brought into action with another primary, for it is seldom that a pure secondary results.

From Color Value by Clifford, C. R. (Chandler Robbins)