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

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

Within this kaleidoscope, some audiences will skew more right or left, sometimes to a paranoid extreme. —Ross Douthat, The Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2024

From September to November Iceland's landscape becomes peppered with an exuberant kaleidoscope of rich reds, warm oranges and golden yellows. —Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

In Coeur d'Alene, this kaleidoscope of colors can be seen while boating on the lake, hiking in the forest or cycling through town. —Catherine Garcia, The Week Us, theweek, 8 Oct. 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