primary color

American  

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of primary color

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

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

It’s a subtractive primary color, which means it never really gets its due.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 2, 2022

Trying to describe the specific quality of love you experience is like trying to describe a primary color that doesn’t exist.

From Slate • Jun. 30, 2022

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

From Salon • Oct. 19, 2021

We start with yellow, a primary color; orange possesses yellow; orange likewise possesses red, the adjoining color; violet possesses red, and it likewise possesses blue.

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