dye

1 of 2

noun

ˈdī 

1

: color from dyeing

2

: a soluble or insoluble coloring matter

dye

2 of 2

verb

dyed; dyeing

transitive verb

1

: to impart a new and often permanent color to especially by impregnating with a dye

2

: to impart (a color) by dyeing

intransitive verb

: to take up or impart color in dyeing

dyeability

ˌdī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

dyeable

ˈdī-ə-bəl 

adjective

dyer

ˈdī(-ə)r 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• color
• colorant
• coloring
• dyestuff
• pigment
• stain

Verb

• bepaint [archaic]
• color
• paint
• pigment
• stain
• tincture
• tinge
• tint

Examples of dye in a Sentence

Noun

soaked the fabric in blue dye

Verb

She had been dyeing her hair for years.

The fabric is bleached, dyed, and then washed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This is what the stack of four dyes synthesized in Würzburg looks like. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2025

Consumer advocates and some health experts have expressed concerns over other types of dyes as well, and at least a dozen states are considering bills that would prohibit certain dyes. —Chantelle Lee, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025

Verb

With her hair dyed teal, an important color for the club, reigning NWSL MVP Chawinga opened the scoring right around three minutes in. —Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2025

The city has been dyeing its river green for more than 60 years, and celebrates with two different parades to honor Irish heritage. —Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English dehe, from Old English dēah, dēag

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing dye

• aniline dye
• azo dye
• piece-dye
• tie-and-dye
• tie-dye
• vat dye
• xanthene dye
• yarn-dye

Rhymes for dye

• ai
• aye
• bae
• bi
• buy
• by
• bye
• chai
• chi
• cry
• die
• dry

Kids Definition

dye

1 of 2 noun

ˈdī 

1

: color produced by dyeing

2

: a material used for dyeing or staining

dye

2 of 2 verb

dyed; dyeing

: to stain or color usually permanently

dyer

ˈdī(-ə)r 

noun

Medical Definition

dye

1 of 2 noun

ˈdī 

1

: color from dyeing

2

: a soluble or insoluble coloring matter

dye

2 of 2 verb

dyed; dyeing

transitive verb

1

: to impart a new and often permanent color to especially by impregnating with a dye

2

: to impart (a color) by dyeing

dyeing blue on yellow

intransitive verb

: to take up or impart color in dyeing