colour

The quality that makes something look red, blue, green, or another shade.

• What colour is your bag?
• She painted the room a pale colour.
• The leaves change colour in autumn.

Similar words: hue, shade

Common phrases: bright colour, favourite colour, colour of something

The shade of someone’s skin, especially when connected with their race or ethnic background.

• They judged him by his colour.
• The law protects people regardless of colour.
• People of colour described their experiences of discrimination.

Similar words: skin colour, complexion

Common phrases: skin colour, people of colour, regardless of colour

To make something red, blue, green, or another shade using paint, pencils, or a similar material.

• Colour the circle blue.
• She coloured her hair last week.
• The children are colouring pictures with crayons.

How to use it: colour something + colour (She coloured the flowers yellow.); colour in something (The children coloured in the animals.)

Similar words: paint, dye

Common phrases: colour a picture, colour something red, colour in something