ombré

1 of 2

adjective

om·​bré ˈäm-ˌbrā 

variants or ombre

: having colors or tones that shade into each other

Stewart arrived … in white sequined Chanel trousers, a black top, and orange ombré hair, bringing to mind Katharine Hepburn had she collided in some faraway star system with David Bowie.

—Durga Chew-Bose

Rich, saturated hues cover most of the walls, which Venezuelan painter Antonio Rimada finished with an ombre technique. In the processional main hall … Rimada shaded the wall progressively, from turquoise to gold, a stunning backdrop for the owner's collection of Latin American art.

—Jean Strouse

ombré noun

ombre

2 of 2

noun

om·​bre ˈäm-bər  ˈäm-brē  -ˌbrā  ˈəm- 

: an old three-handed card game popular in Europe especially in the 17th and 18th centuries

Examples of ombré in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The actress recently traded out her lengthy black waves for a face-framing blonde bob, dyed with an ombre gradient, and curtain bangs falling just at her eyebrows. —Staff Author, Peoplemag, 10 Feb. 2023

This suitcase has a minimalist exterior that uses the texture of ombre-style ribbing to create a unique look. —Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2023

The ombre glitter style is a best-seller from the brand and performed well in Textiles Lab luggage evaluations. —Amanda Constantine, Good Housekeeping, 9 Nov. 2022

In the photo, Harper wore a strapless blue dress with an ombre design. —Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 31 Jan. 2023

Usher debuted his neon, ombre effect look on the first day of shows at Wales Bonner and was spotted again at Bianca Saunders the next day. —Samantha Tse, CNN, 21 Jan. 2023

These pretty ombre-colored coffin nails come as a set of 24 with glue and a file. —Sam Peters, ELLE, 7 Dec. 2022

The bottle is a gorgeous vessel with an ombre effect that fades from black on the top to red and yellow toward the bottom. —Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022

Ruched and draped for an exquisite flattering fit, this ombre number will ensure all eyes will be on you. —Minna Shim, Harper's BAZAAR, 20 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French, past participle of ombrer to shade, from Italian ombrare, from ombra shade, from Latin umbra — more at umbrage

Noun

French or Spanish; French hombre, from Spanish, literally, man — more at hombre

First Known Use

Adjective

1893, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1661, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ombre

adjective

om·​bre

ˈäm-ˌbrā

: having colors or tones that shade into each other