kaleidoscope

noun

ka·​lei·​do·​scope kə-ˈlī-də-ˌskōp 

1

: an instrument containing loose bits of colored material (such as glass or plastic) between two flat plates and two plane mirrors so placed that changes of position of the bits of material are reflected in an endless variety of patterns

2

: something resembling a kaleidoscope: such as

a

: a variegated changing pattern or scene

a kaleidoscope of colors

b

: a succession of changing phases or actions

a kaleidoscope of changing fashions

c

: a diverse collection

kaleidoscopic

kə-ˌlī-də-ˈskä-pik 

adjective

kaleidoscopically

kə-ˌlī-də-ˈskä-pi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of kaleidoscope in a Sentence

The landscape was a kaleidoscope of changing colors.

Recent Examples on the Web

Once empty, the frames are now filled with palm-sized fragments of centuries-old church glass that glow like a sacred kaleidoscope. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2025

Advertisement Hawley worked from a similar playbook with Legion, whose apparently schizophrenic superhero filtered a fast-evolving cultural conversation around mental illness through a psychedelic kaleidoscope, and especially Fargo. —Judy Berman, Time, 5 Aug. 2025

But the true money shot was a spectacular sequence set in The Sandman’s HQ, a glistening sand castle, with light filtering through a glass kaleidoscope in the ceiling. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025

Courtesy of Eibner Saliba/Unsplash With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines offers a kaleidoscope of white- and pink-sand beaches, volcanic peaks, limestone cliffs, coral reefs, and colorful jeepneys buzzing through its bustling cities. —Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 16 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek kalos beautiful + eidos form + English -scope — more at idyll

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for kaleidoscope

• electroscope
• heliotrope
• laryngoscope
• ophthalmoscope
• oscilloscope
• polariscope
• stereoscope
• antelope
• bronchoscope
• cantaloupe
• cystoscope
• endoscope

Kids Definition

kaleidoscope

noun

ka·​lei·​do·​scope kə-ˈlīd-ə-ˌskōp 

1

: a tube containing loose bits of colored glass or plastic and two mirrors at one end that shows many different patterns as it is turned

2

: a changing pattern or scene

3

: a diverse collection

a kaleidoscope of subjects

kaleidoscopic

-ˌlīd-ə-ˈskäp-ik 

adjective

kaleidoscopically

-ˈskäp-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Etymology

from Greek kalos "beautiful" and Greek eidos "form, shape" and English -scope