colour

I UK [ˈkʌlə(r)] / US [ˈkʌlər] noun
Word forms "colour":
singular colour plural colours
***

Talking or writing about colours:

general shade one of the different types of a particular colour, especially when describing how dark or light it is: a deep shade of red ♦ subtle shades of blue and green tone one of the different types of a particular colour: a delicate pink tone ♦ eye shadow in tones of green and brown -ish used with colours to make adjectives describing things that looks a bit like that colour: reddish hair dark colours dark used for describing colours that look more like black than like white: dark green trousers ♦ I think the colour on the walls is far too dark. deep used for describing dark colours, especially when they look attractive: lovely deep blue eyes rich used for describing dark colours that look beautiful and expensive: rich brown velvet sombre dark in a way that seems suitable for a serious occasion or use: The men were wearing sombre suits and black ties. bright colours bright strong and noticeable: bright yellow paint vibrant bright in a way that looks exciting: curtains in vibrant shades of red colourful brightly coloured, or having a lot of bright colours: wonderfully colourful saris loud bright in a way that you think looks silly or ugly: He tends to wear silk shirts and loud ties. gaudy very brightly coloured, especially in a way that you think shows bad taste: Look at those gaudy purple sunglasses! garish very brightly coloured, especially in a way that you think does not look attractive: garish reds and bright yellows pale colours pale like white with a small amount of a colour mixed in: pale grey feathers light pale rather than dark: Light colours work best in north-facing rooms. ♦ a light blue shirt pastel pale in a soft and attractive way: used also as a noun referring to a pastel colour or something of such a colour: summer dresses in pastel shades ♦ She often wears pastels. ♦ pastel pink faded used for describing something that is pale because it has been washed a lot or because it has been affected by light or the sun: faded blue jeans ♦ The paintwork was faded in places.

1) [countable/uncountable] red, blue, yellow etc

Pink is my favourite colour.

a light brown colour

change colour:

Many fruits change colour as they become ripe.

in colour:

His hair is reddish in colour.

a) [uncountable] the quality of being red, blue, yellow etc, instead of being black and white or transparent

Pot plants add colour to a room.

in colour:

Are the pictures in colour or black and white?

b) [countable] something such as clothing or paint that is a particular colour

I prefer wearing dark colours.

Mix the colours with your paintbrush.

c) [countable/uncountable] the colour of someone's skin as a sign of their race

people of all creeds and colours

d) [uncountable] the colour of someone's face when it shows how they are feeling

Suddenly, the colour drained from his cheeks.

She giggled nervously as colour flooded her face.

e) [countable/uncountable] a chemical that you put on your hair to make it change colour

Before you spend money on a perm or colour, talk to your hairdresser.

2) [uncountable] interest or excitement

add/give/bring colour to something:

The examples chosen add colour to the writing.

See:

local colour

3)

a) colours

[plural] the combination of colours used for representing a particular country, team, political party etc

He was wearing the colours of his favourite football team.

national colours:

Australia's national colours

b) a flag, badge etc used as a symbol of a particular country, team, political party etc

He gained his school colours for rugby.

•

- see the colour of someone's money

See:

flying I, nail II, off-colour, true I

II UK [ˈkʌlə(r)] / US [ˈkʌlər] verb
Word forms "colour":
present tense I/you/we/they colour he/she/it colours present participle colouring past tense coloured past participle coloured
**

1) [transitive] to add colour to something, or to make it a different colour

I think I'll colour my hair.

colour something blue/green/red etc:

Rivers and lakes are often coloured green by algae.

a) [intransitive/transitive] if you colour, or if something colours your face, your face becomes red

She looked away from him, colouring slightly.

b) colour or colour in

[intransitive/transitive] to use pens, pencils, or crayons to add colour to a picture

As a child, I could spend hours just colouring in.

colour something blue/green/red etc:

Colour the boy's eyes blue.

2)

a) [transitive] to affect someone's decision or opinion about something

Don't allow your friends' opinions to colour your judgment.

early experiences that coloured her attitude to work

b) to affect the way someone sounds

A tinge of regret coloured her tone.

Phrasal verbs:

- colour up

III UK [ˈkʌlə(r)] / US [ˈkʌlər] adjective [usually before noun]

1) a colour photograph, magazine etc is in colour, not black and white

2) a colour television, monitor etc shows colour pictures or images