Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having color that is resistant to fading or running: Describes a dyed material, especially fabric, whose color does not fade significantly when washed or exposed to light.

Usage

• The word "colorfast" is used almost exclusively as an adjective to describe textiles, clothing, or other dyed materials. It is a property that is tested and often labeled on products.
• It is typically used before a noun (attributive position) or after a linking verb like "is" or "are" (predicative position).

Examples

• Adjective:
  • Always check the label to ensure the fabric is colorfast before washing it with other clothes.
  • These colorfast curtains will not fade in the sun.
  • The dyeing process was improved to make the jeans more colorfast.

Advanced Usage

• "Colorfastness" (noun): The quality or degree of being colorfast. This is the related property noun.
  • The colorfastness of this fabric against chlorine is excellent.

Variants and Related Words

• Colorfastness (n): The resistance of a material's color to fading or running.
• Fade-resistant (adj): Similar in meaning, often used interchangeably, though "colorfast" is more specific to textiles.
• Run-proof (adj): Specifically indicates the dye will not bleed or run when wet.

Synonyms

• Fade-resistant: Resistant to losing color.
• Colorfast is a precise technical term; near-synonyms depend on context but include color-retentive or stable-dyed.

Antonyms

• Non-colorfast: Lacking colorfastness.
• Fugitive: (Of a dye) liable to fade or change color.

Notes

• "Colorfast" is a compound word (color + fast). In this context, "fast" means "fixed" or "firmly attached," not "quick."
• The term is commonly seen on care labels for clothing and linens (e.g., "Colorfast to washing").

Adjective

1. having color that is resistant to fading or running