color
gb/kˈʌlɚ/ us/kˈʌlɚ/
A1
English
~ 700
szín, színez, kiszínez, bőrszín, színesség
NOUN
A1
1
szín
A1
Usage pattern:
the color of [something]
The color of the sky changes throughout the day.
Az ég színe a nap folyamán változik.
She painted her room a soft blue color.
Lágy kék színűre festette a szobáját.
This dress comes in several different colors.
The leaves turn a beautiful red color in autumn.
Learner examples
My favorite color is green.
A kedvenc színem a zöld.
The car is blue.
Az autó kék.
I like the color of your shirt.
The apple is red.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'color' with 'paint' when describing objects; 'color' is the visual property, not the substance applied.
Meaning
visual appearance from reflected light
Collocations
bright color
|change color
|favorite color
|color scheme
|color palette
Synonyms
hue (More technical or artistic term for a specific shade or tint of color.)
Antonyms
colorlessness (Describes the absence of any color, appearing transparent or white.)
Themes
art
|daily life
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
How something looks because of the light it reflects, like red, blue, or green.
The property of an object that is perceived by the eye as a result of the way it reflects or emits light, such as red, blue, or green.
VERB
A1
2
Usage pattern:
to color [something]
The children colored pictures in their books.
A gyerekek képeket színeztek a könyveikben.
She spent the afternoon coloring a beautiful landscape.
A délutánt egy gyönyörű tájkép színezésével töltötte.
He colored the poster with bright markers.
Learner examples
I color my drawing with red.
Pirossal színezem ki a rajzomat.
She colors the picture.
Kiszínezi a képet.
We color the paper.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'color' with 'draw'; 'draw' means to make lines or shapes, while 'color' means to fill them in with pigment.
Meaning
apply pigment to something
Collocations
color a picture
|color the walls
|color the drawing
Synonyms
paint (Often used for applying liquid pigment to surfaces; more specific than 'color'.)
Antonyms
bleach (To remove color from something, often making it white.)
Themes
art
|daily life
|arts_entertainment
|daily_life
Definition
To make something have color by using paint, pencils, or other materials.
To add color to something by using paints, crayons, dyes, or similar materials.
NOUN
B1
3
bőrszín
B1
People of all colors attended the festival.
Mindenféle bőrszínű emberek vettek részt a fesztiválon.
The law prohibits discrimination based on color.
A törvény tiltja a bőrszín alapján történő hátrányos megkülönböztetést.
She is proud of her color and heritage.
Learner examples
People have different colors of skin.
Az emberek bőrszíne különböző.
We must not judge people by their color.
Nem szabad az embereket a bőrszínük alapján megítélni.
The law says no one can be treated badly because of their color.
Common mistake:
Learners may incorrectly use 'color' for hair or eye description in this sense; here it refers to skin and race.
Meaning
race or skin pigmentation
Collocations
people of color
Synonyms
ethnicity (Refers to cultural origin rather than just skin pigmentation.)
Themes
society
|relationships
|body
Definition
The shade of a person's skin, often linked to race.
A way of describing people based on their skin pigmentation or racial background.
NOUN
B2
4
His travel stories added a lot of color to the evening.
Utazási történetei sok színt vittek az estébe.
The reporter's descriptions brought color to the otherwise dull account.
A riporter leírásai színt vittek az egyébként unalmas beszámolóba.
She adds color to our meetings with her jokes.
Learner examples
Her story has much color.
A története nagyon színes.
He adds color to the talk.
Színt visz az előadásba.
The news has no color.
Common mistake:
Learners may misinterpret this figurative sense as literal visual color.
Meaning
added vividness or interest
Collocations
add color to [something]
Synonyms
flavor (Metaphorical use meaning added distinctive quality or interest.)
Themes
communication
|arts_entertainment
Definition
Something that makes a story, event, or person more interesting or lively.
An element that adds excitement, variety, or distinctive character to something non-visual, such as a story or personality.
Grammar
Dictionary form
color
IPA
GB/kˈʌlɚ/
US/kˈʌlɚ/
Syllables & stress
col - or (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (col)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: color
- Variant Spelling: colour
- Plural: color, colors
Verb
- Base: color
- Variant Spelling: colour
- 3rd Person Singular: colors
- Present Participle: coloring
- Past: colored
Word family
Core family
colorful
adjective A2
Related words
colorize
verb
Negative and opposite forms
colorless
adjective
discolor
verb
Advanced or less common
coloration
noun
colorist
noun
Highlights
- Spelling Variant: colour Verb
- Spelling Variant: colour Noun
Expressions
color someone’s judgment
1/kˈʌlɚ sˈʌmwˌʌnz d͡ʒˈʌd͡ʒmənt/
fixed phrase
influence opinion in biased way
To make someone’s opinion less fair because of feelings or experiences.
Examples
- Her bad experience colored her judgment about the new restaurant.
- Personal feelings can easily color your judgment at work.
in color
1/ˈɪn kˈʌlɚ/
fixed phrase
shown in natural colors
Shown with real-life colors instead of just black and white.
Examples
- The movie is now available in color.
- I prefer watching old shows in color rather than black and white.
show one’s true colors
1/ʃˈoʊ wˈʌnz tɹˈu kˈʌlɚz/
idiom
reveal real character or intentions
To show what you are really like or what you really think.
Examples
- He showed his true colors when he refused to help his friend.
- She finally showed her true colors and admitted she didn’t care about the project.
see red
1/sˈi ɹˈɛd/
idiom
informal
become suddenly angry
To suddenly feel very angry.
Examples
- He saw red when he found out they had lied to him.
- I see red every time someone cuts me off in traffic.
see red
2/sˈi ɹˈɛd/
idiom
informal
Become suddenly very angry
To suddenly become very angry.
Examples
- I see red when people litter in the park.
- He saw red when he found out someone scratched his car.