Colour

Definition

Colour (or "color" in American English) is a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to the visual property of an object that is perceived due to the way it reflects or emits light. As a verb, it means to apply hues or pigment to something or to influence or change subtly.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈkʌlər/
• Respelling: KUH-lur

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈkʌlə/
• Respelling: KUH-luh

Etymology

The word "colour" comes from the Latin "color," meaning "color or hue," which passed into Old French as "colour." It entered Middle English in its current form, "colour," with variations in spelling across different regions, leading to "color" in American English.

Derivatives

• Coloured (adjective)
• Colourful (adjective)
• Colouration (noun)
• Colourless (adjective)
• Recolour (verb)

Synonyms

• Hue
• Tint
• Shade

Antonyms

• Monochrome
• Grayscale
• Colorless

Usage

The noun "colour" is used to describe a visual property of objects, such as "The sky was a deep blue colour." The verb is used to describe applying hues or changing the appearance of something, as in "She coloured the drawing with bright pencils."

Related Terms

• Hue: A specific shade or tint of a colour.
• Palette: The range of colours used in a particular artwork or environment.
• Spectrum: The range of colours visible in white light, often represented in a rainbow.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• The visual property associated with the light reflection or emission of an object: Refers to the characteristic of objects due to light absorption or reflection.
  • Example: "The painting displayed vibrant colours."
• A pigment or dye applied to an object: Describes the physical substance used to add colour.
  • Example: "She chose a red colour for her walls."
• A distinctive quality or characteristic: Used metaphorically to describe qualities that add interest or diversity.
  • Example: "The festival added a lot of colour to the city."

Verb

• To apply colour or pigment to something: Means to add hues or shades to an object.
  • Example: "The artist coloured the sketch with pastels."
• To influence or alter slightly: Refers to the act of subtly changing or influencing perception.
  • Example: "His opinions were coloured by his experiences."