colored

1 of 2

adjective

col·​ored ˈkə-lərd 

1

: having color

2

a

: colorful

b

: marked by exaggeration or bias

3

a

dated, usually offensive; see usage paragraph below : of a race (see race entry 1 sense 1a) other than white

especially : black entry 1 sense 2

b

dated, usually offensive; see usage paragraph below : of mixed race (see race entry 1 sense 1a)

4

dated, usually offensive; see usage paragraph below : of or relating to persons of races (see race entry 1 sense 1a) other than white or to persons of mixed race

Usage of Colored

The adjective meanings of colored relating to race were formerly in common and widespread use well into the 20th century. Attitudes toward them had changed, however, by the 1960s. Although colored is still occasionally used in self-reference by and between Black people, the adjective as used by others is offensive; the terms Black and African American are preferred. Colored remains in the full name of the NAACP (the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), a civil rights organization founded in the early 20th century.

colored

2 of 2

noun

variants often Colored

plural colored or coloreds

dated, offensive; see usage paragraph below

: a person of a race (see race entry 1 sense 1a) other than white or of mixed race

Usage of Colored

The noun colored was formerly in common and widespread use well into the 20th century, although attitudes toward it had changed by the 1960s. In most nonhistorical contexts, this use of colored is now considered unacceptable.

Synonyms of colored

Adjective

• colorful
• varied
• rainbow
• various

Examples of colored in a Sentence

Adjective

We decorated the Christmas tree with colored lights.

He gave a highly colored account of the events.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In the Menil work, the central character is an artist brandishing a bouquet of colored pencils, surrounded by a seraphic tumble of monochrome extras that are her handiwork. —Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026

The ones still managing to a colored dashboard will be answering for it. —Yonesy Nunez, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

My first experience of for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf was with Toi Derricotte in Pitt’s MFA. —Literary Hub, 29 May 2026

The dip nail method involves layering glue and dipping the nail into colored acrylic for a long-lasting look. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 29 May 2026

Prettygarden Short-Sleeve Belted Shirt Dress The fuller midi skirt, half-button front, and banded puff sleeves make this cream-colored shirt dress similar to Oprah's version. —Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026

The most famous Colombian fan is Gustavo Llanos, known as El Cole (Birdman), who dresses like a tri-colored bird and has been to every World Cup Colombia participated in since 1990. —Michelle Kaufman may 29, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026

Domrose brought a white board and colored markers to track their songwriting progress. —Steve Appleford, SPIN, 29 May 2026

The sparkling walls were sheets of aluminum foil hung by the production designer to bounce colored light around the room. —Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1832, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing colored

• cream-colored
• flesh-colored
• off-colored
• parti-colored
• rose-colored
• rose-colored glasses
• self-colored
• straw-colored

Rhymes for colored

• discolored
• uncolored
• coloured
• multicolored

Kids Definition

colored

adjective

col·​ored

ˈkəl-ərd

1

: having color

colored pictures

2

a

usually offensive : of a race other than white

especially : black entry 1 sense 2a

—used especially in the past

b

usually offensive : of or relating to persons of mixed race or of races other than white

—used especially in the past