B1adjective5K

Coloured

UK /["/ˈkʌləd/"]/US /["/ˈkʌlərd/"]/

Definition

having a particular colour or different colours

In simple words: Having a color; not just black and white.

Examples

  • **brightly coloured** balloons
  • He uses ink and coloured pencils in his drawings.
  • The street was ablaze with coloured lights.
  • vases made of coloured glass
  • dark-coloured jeans
  • She was wearing a cream-coloured suit.
  • The words are written in a different-coloured ink.
  • She wore a richly coloured silk dress.
  • variously coloured birds

Usage notes

Used to describe something that has a specific color, often when contrasting with plain or white things. Common in art and design contexts. Avoid in formal writing unless specifying types of paper or materials.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'color' + 'u' for United Kingdom, where they spell it with a 'u'.

Collocations

  • be
  • boldly
  • brightly
  • brilliantly

Synonyms

  • tinted
  • dyed
  • painted
  • hued

Antonyms

  • colorless
  • plain

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'colored' — many English-speaking regions might prefer 'colored' instead of 'coloured'.
  • Omitting the 'u' in British English — remember to include it if using British spelling.