chromatic

1 of 2

adjective

chro·​mat·​ic krō-ˈma-tik 

1

a

: of, relating to, or giving all the tones of the chromatic scale

b

: characterized by frequent use of accidentals

2

a

: of or relating to color or color phenomena or sensations

b

: highly colored

3

: of or relating to chroma

chromatically

krō-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

chromaticism

krō-ˈma-tə-ˌsi-zəm 

noun

chromatic

2 of 2

noun

: accidental sense 2

Synonyms

Adjective

• colored
• colorful
• kaleidoscopic
• motley
• multicolored
• multihued
• polychromatic
• polychrome
• prismatic
• rainbow
• varicolored
• varied
• variegated
• various

Examples of chromatic in a Sentence

Adjective

the strikingly chromatic paintings of Matisse and the other Fauvists

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The choice of color, matching the tights, was a pure cry of daring, since shades so close to each other in the chromatic spectrum are usually subject to a certain prohibition. —Teresa Romero Martínez, Glamour, 8 Dec. 2024

Fans will feel immersed in the chromatic motion of the event weekend through a digital art experience. —Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024

Noun

Bringing in dramatic chromatics to reflect the couple’s charisma was a primary focus, as was toggling between Americana and gothic English design for a splash of irreverence suiting a rock star and supermodel. —Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 11 Dec. 2024

It’s this very simple chromatic ascending and descending motif. —Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin chrōmaticus, borrowed from Greek chrōmatikós "of color (in rhetoric), of the chromatic scale," from chrōmat-, chrôma "skin, complexion, color, the chromatic scale" + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at -chrome

Noun

derivative of chromatic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun

1708, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chromatic

• chromatic aberration
• chromatic scale

Kids Definition

chromatic

1 of 2 adjective

chro·​mat·​ic krō-ˈmat-ik 

1

: of or relating to color

especially : being a shade other than black, gray, or white

2

: of or relating to the chromatic scale

chromatically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

chromatic

2 of 2 noun

: accidental entry 2

Etymology

Adjective

from Greek chrōmatikos "relating to color," from chrōma "color"

Medical Definition

chromatic

adjective

chro·​mat·​ic krō-ˈmat-ik 

1

: of, relating to, or characterized by color or color phenomena or sensations

chromatic perception

chromatic stimuli

2

: capable of being colored by staining agents

chromatic substances