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Colour Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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colour

[ˈkʌlə ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

art

The property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way it reflects or emits light.

Synonyms

hue, shade, tone.

Examples of usage

  • The colours of the rainbow are beautiful.
  • She mixed different colours to create a unique painting.
Context #2 | Noun

symbolism

Used to represent a particular emotion or quality.

Synonyms

representation, sign, symbol.

Examples of usage

  • Red is often associated with passion and love.
  • Black is a colour of mourning in many cultures.
Context #3 | Verb

change

Change the colour of something by painting, dyeing, or shading it.

Synonyms

dye, paint, tint.

Examples of usage

  • She decided to colour her hair blonde.
  • The artist coloured the canvas with vibrant hues.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Studies show that colours can affect our emotions; for instance, blue often makes people feel calm.
  • Bright colours like yellow can enhance feelings of happiness and optimism.
  • Colour associations can differ culturally, such as white symbolizing purity in some cultures and mourning in others.

Art

  • The understanding of colours has evolved with artists using techniques like blending and contrasting to create depth.
  • Famous painters like Van Gogh used vibrant colours to convey emotion in their artwork.
  • The primary colours are red, blue, and yellow, which can be mixed to create all other colours.

Science

  • Colour perception in humans comes from light interacting with the eye's receptors called cones.
  • In physics, colour is determined by the wavelength of light; different wavelengths correspond to different colours.
  • Animals perceive colours differently – for instance, some dogs can only see shades of blue and yellow.

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, specific colours hold significant meanings, like red often symbolizing luck in Chinese culture.
  • The rainbow flag is a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community, representing diversity and inclusivity.
  • Different countries have national colours; for example, green, white, and orange represent Ireland.

Origin of 'colour'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'colour' comes from the Latin word 'color', which means 'hue' or 'appearance'.
  • In Old French, the term was spelled 'colour', which influenced its spelling in English.
  • Various languages have distinct words for colour, reflecting cultural importance in different societies.

The word 'colour' originated from the Latin word 'color' and the Old French word 'colour', both meaning 'shade, tint, or hue'. The use of colour has been an integral part of human expression and communication throughout history, with different colours often carrying symbolic meanings in various cultures.

See also: coloured, colourful, discoloured.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,291, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.