Grayscale: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in technical contexts, such as photography, printing, or computer graphics, to refer to images that use varying shades of gray.

• The scanned document is saved in grayscale.
• Grayscale images can show a lot of detail without color.

Commonly used to describe images or movies that are entirely black, white, and shades of gray. Also used metaphorically to describe situations without nuance, meaning only two stark options.

• The classic movie was filmed in black and white.
• His opinion on the matter is very black and white; he sees no middle ground.

Used to refer to images, designs, or artworks created using one color or shades of one color. Can also refer to older computer screens displaying one color against a different color background.

• The artist's monochrome paintings are stunning.
• Early computers often had monochrome displays with green text on a black background.