discolor

verb

dis·​col·​or (ˌ)dis-ˈkə-lər 

discolored; discoloring; discolors

transitive verb

: to alter or change the hue or color of

intransitive verb

: to change color especially for the worse

Examples of discolor in a Sentence

The fabric is guaranteed not to discolor.

The wine stain discolored the rug.

Recent Examples on the Web

Leather furniture or clothing will crack and discolor due to environmental reasons, and rugs of any fabric will deteriorate and fall victim to moths, bugs, and birds looking for a dark, cool space. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025

In addition, removing gel manicures can involved regular exposure to chemicals that leave nails flaky and dry, or even permanently discolored, researchers at Harvard University found. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

Paperwork submitted by Byers for an inmate was discolored, and when tested for drugs, it was found to be positive for synthetic cannabinoids, said the Sheriff's Office. —Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 18 Aug. 2025

All hands on deck In 2020, Ogg and other fishermen off the California coast noticed that the flesh of adult salmon had discolored from a bright reddish pink to a dull grayish pink. —Calista Oetama, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English discolouren, from Anglo-French desculurer, from Late Latin discolorari, from Latin discolor of another color, from dis- + color color

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for discolor

• bicolor
• concolor
• tricolor
• color
• colour
• culler
• duller
• multicolor
• technicolor
• unicolor
• versicolor
• watercolor

Kids Definition

discolor

verb

dis·​col·​or (ˈ)dis-ˈkəl-ər 

: to change in color especially for the worse

the stain discolored the rug

discoloration

(ˌ)dis-ˌkəl-ə-ˈrā-shən

noun