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

This is armchair travel at its finest: a kaleidoscope of rainbow beach umbrellas crowd the frame here; couples sunbathe on the rocky shores of the Amalfi there; behind it all, the dazzling blue waters of the Mediterranean, or Tyrrhenian Sea. —Sophie Dodd, Bon Appétit, 11 Dec. 2024

Freelon’s portraits center the children amidst a kaleidoscope of colors. —Chadd Scott, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

Venue: Tokyo International Film Festival (Competition) Cast: Sean Lau, Jo Koo, Dylan So Director-screenwriter: Philip Yung 2 hours 11 minutes Shifting back and forth between time periods, the film is less a thriller than a kaleidoscope of impressions. —Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024

Mosaic madness Adorn a nonfunctional fireplace with a kaleidoscope of mosaics. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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