1. That aspect of things that is caused by differing qualities of the light reflected or emitted by them, definable in terms of the observer or of the light, as:
   1. The appearance of objects or light sources described in terms of the individual's perception of them, involving hue, lightness, and saturation for objects and hue, brightness, and saturation for light sources.
   2. The characteristics of light by which the individual is made aware of objects or light sources through the receptors of the eye, described in terms of dominant wavelength, luminance, and purity.
2. A substance, such as a dye, pigment, or paint, that imparts a hue.
3. 1. The general appearance of the skin; complexion.
   2. A ruddy complexion.
   3. A reddening of the face; a blush.
4. The skin pigmentation of a person not categorized as white.
5. colors A flag or banner, as of a country or military unit.
6. colors The salute made during the ceremony of raising or lowering a flag.
7. colors A distinguishing symbol, badge, ribbon, or mark: the colors of a college.
8. colors One's opinion or position: Stick to your colors.
9. Character or nature. Often used in the plural: revealed their true colors.
10. 1. Outward appearance, often deceptive: a tale with the merest color of truth.
    2. Appearance of authenticity: testimony that lends color to an otherwise absurd notion.
11. 1. Variety of expression.
    2. Vivid, picturesque detail: a story with a lot of color in it.
12. Traits of personality or behavior that attract interest.
13. The use or effect of pigment in painting, as distinct from form.
14. Music. Quality of tone or timbre.
15. Law. A mere semblance of legal right.
16. A particle or bit of gold found in auriferous gravel or sand.
17. Physics. A quantum characteristic of quarks that determines their role in the strong interaction.

1. To impart color to or change the color of.
2. 1. To give a distinctive character or quality to; modify. See synonyms at bias.
   2. To exert an influence on; affect: The war colored the soldier's life.
3. 1. To misrepresent, especially by distortion or exaggeration: color the facts.
   2. To gloss over; excuse: a parent who colored the children's lies.

1. 1. To take on color.
   2. To change color.
2. To become red in the face; blush.

[Middle English colour, from Old French, from Latin color.]

USAGE NOTE   Dissatisfaction with the implications of nonwhite as a racial label has doubtless contributed to the recent popularity of the term person of color and others, such as woman of color, with the same construction. In effect, person of color stands nonwhite on its head, substituting a positive for a negative. It is interesting that the almost exclusive association in American English of colored with Black does not carry over to terms formed with "of color," which are used inclusively of most groups other than those of European origin. See Usage Notes at colored, nonwhite.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.