Hue: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe a pure color without any modification by adding black, white, or gray. Often used in art and design.

• The painter used a vibrant hue of red for the sunset
• The hue of the leaves changes in the fall

Refers to a color that has been darkened by adding black. It can also refer to the act of darkening a color. Often used in painting and design.

• She chose a darker shade of blue for the bedroom walls
• The artist shaded the sketch to give it depth

Refers to a color that has been modified by adding gray, which makes the color less intense. Often used in interior design and color theory.

• The designer suggested a neutral tone for the living room
• The tone of the painting creates a calming effect

Describes a color that has been lightened by adding white. It is commonly used in art, cosmetics, and fashion.

• The nursery was painted in a soft tint of pink
• She applied a light tint of red lipstick

Typically used when talking about colors or shades of color.

• She loved the soft hue of the sunset
• The artist mixed different hues to get the perfect shade

Often used to describe a particular way or design in art, fashion, or other forms.

• Her clothing style is very unique
• The artist's style is easily recognizable

Used to describe a way of doing something or someone's behavior.

• He greeted everyone in a polite manner
• Her manner of speaking was very clear and concise

Commonly used to refer to the attitude or feeling of voice, or the character of a piece of writing.

• His tone was calm and reassuring
• The tone of the article was very critical

Hue often refers to a distinct characteristic of color, or a particular shade in terms of its primary and secondary attributes. It is widely used in artistic, design, and technical contexts to describe color properties.

• The painter selected a vibrant hue for the background.
• Adjust the hue on your monitor to achieve a more accurate display.

Color is a general term used to describe the overall characteristic of visual perception made up of hue, saturation, and brightness. It is commonly used in everyday language and a variety of contexts.

• What is your favorite color?
• The flowers in the garden had a vivid range of colors.

Tint involves a color variation produced by adding white to the base color, resulting in a lighter appearance. It is commonly mentioned in art, design, and fashion to denote lighter colors.

• The room is painted in a soft tint of pink.
• Adding a tint of white creates a pastel version of the color.

Shade refers to a variation of a color made by adding black, making it darker. It is used when discussing different degrees of darkness of a particular color.

• She prefers darker shades of blue.
• The artist created different shades by mixing the paint with black.