Color: meaning, definitions and examples

General term used to describe all different types of colors. Suitable for everyday conversation.

• What is your favorite color?
• The flowers in the garden have vibrant colors.

Used to refer to a specific shade or tint of a color. Common in more technical or artistic discussions.

• The photographer captured the subtle hues of the twilight sky.
• Different hues of blue can evoke different emotions.

Refers to a variation of a color, typically when black is added to a color, making it darker. Often used in contexts related to art, design, and fashion.

• I need a darker shade of blue for this painting.
• This room would look great in lighter shades.

Used to describe the quality, brightness or depth of a color. This term is often used in art, design, and discussions about creating different visual effects.

• The designer chose a warm tone for the living room walls.
• Experimenting with different tones can add depth to your artwork.

Also used in a broader sense to refer to the category of hues that can be seen.

• Her favorite color is red
• What color should we paint the walls?

Refers to applying a liquid, pigment-based substance to a surface, usually for artistic or decorative purposes.

• He loves to paint landscapes
• They decided to paint the house a fresh, new color

Refers to adding color to a substance, typically fabric or hair, using a coloring agent.

• She decided to dye her hair pink
• They used natural dye to color the cloth

Refers to a slight or delicate variation of color, often used in the context of small adjustments or gradations of a basic color.

• The window film gives a light tint to the glass
• She added a tint of blue to her painting to make it more realistic