English

Pronunciation

[Co-lor] /_____/ 1)...

Alternative spelling

• colour (UK English)

Note - The spelling "color" is primarily a US usage. Originally the spelling of 'colour' without a U was a sanctioned change of the Spelling Reformist Movement, which was not exculsively accepted by Americans, but was much more popular in the US than it was in England. When the movement died out, its changes remained in US English but not in UK English.

Etymology

From Old French coulour , from Latin color. In American spelling the 'u' was dropped from colour to simplify the spelling. In British spelling the 'u' remains.

Noun

color, plural colors

1. The spectral composition of visible light

   Humans and birds can perceive color.

2. A particular set of visible spectral compositions, perceived or named as a class

   Most languages have names for the colors black, white, red, and green.

3. Hue as opposed to achromatic colors (black, white and greys).

   He referred to the white flag as one "drained of all color".

4. Human skin tone, especially as an indicator of race or ethnicity.

   Color has been a sensitive issue in many societies.

5. (figuratively) interest, especially in a selective area.#

   a bit of local color.

6. In corporate finance, details on sales, profit margins, or other financial figures, especially while reviewing quarterly results when an officer of a company is speaking to investment analyists.

   Could you give me some color with regards to which products made up the mix of revenue for this quarter?

See also Wikipedia: color

Adjective

1. Conveying color, as opposed to shades of gray

   Color television and movies were considered a great improvement over black and white

Related words

See Appendix:Colours

• color charge
• color commentator
• colored
• colors
• off-color

Translations

Translations are listed under colour.

Verb

color, colors, coloring, colored

1. give something color

   We could color the walls red

2. draw within the boundaries a line drawing using colored markers or crayons

   My kindergartener loves to color

3. (of a face) To become red through increased blood flow
4. affect without completely changing

   That interpretation certainly colors my perception of the book

5. attribute a quality to

   (colloquial) Color me confused

Translations

Translations are listed under colour.

Latin

Noun

color m, genitive coloris

Third declension

1. color