Colored Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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colored

[ˈkʌlərd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

describing objects or surfaces

Having color or a particular color; not black, white, or gray.

Synonyms

bright, colorful, vivid.

Examples of usage

  • The walls were painted in different colored stripes.
  • She wore a brightly colored dress to the party.
  • The artist used a variety of colored pencils to create the drawing.
Context #2 | Adjective

offensive term used historically

Of a person who is not white or of European descent.

Synonyms

non-white, racial minority.

Examples of usage

  • She faced discrimination because of her colored skin.
  • The signs in the store said 'No colored allowed'.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'colored'

The term 'colored' originated in the 18th century as a way to describe objects or individuals with a particular color. However, it was later used as an offensive term to refer to people of non-white or non-European descent, particularly during times of racial segregation and discrimination. In modern times, the term has largely fallen out of use due to its negative connotations.


See also: color, colorant, coloration, colorful, colorfulness, coloring, colors, discolor, discoloration, discolored, discoloring, multicolored.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,326, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.