Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act or process of adding color to something: The action of applying color or dye to an object, surface, or material.
   • A visual attribute of things: The appearance of an object as determined by the light it reflects, emits, or transmits. For example, a white colouring results from the reflection of many different wavelengths of light.
   • A substance used to give color to something: A digestible dye or pigment added to food, drink, or other products to change their appearance. Often made from natural sources like vegetable dyes.
   • A particular shade or combination of hues: The distinctive color of a person's hair, skin, or eyes.
   • A particular character, tone, or bias: A distinctive quality, feeling, or influence that affects the nature of something, such as a story or opinion.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The colouring of the fabric took several hours to complete. (The process of dyeing the fabric.)
  • Her natural colouring is very fair, with blonde hair and blue eyes. (The natural hues of her hair and eyes.)
  • This juice contains no artificial colouring. (A substance added to give color to the drink.)
  • The artist's use of bright colouring creates a joyful mood in the painting. (The combination of colors used.)
  • His account of the events had a strong political colouring. (A distinctive bias influencing the narrative.)

Advanced Usage

• "Protective colouring" (Biology): Coloration that helps an animal blend into its environment for camouflage.

  • The moth's protective colouring makes it nearly invisible against the tree bark.

• "Local colouring": Details in a story that give a vivid sense of the particular place or period.

  • The novel is rich in local colouring, describing the customs and dialects of the region.

Variants and Related Words

• Color (US spelling): The American English spelling of "colour".
• Colourant (Noun): A substance used for colouring.
• Colourful (Adjective): Full of bright colors or interesting variety.
• Colourize (Verb): To add color to a black-and-white film or photograph.

Synonyms

• Pigmentation: The natural coloring of a living thing.
• Dye: A substance used to color materials.
• Hue: A shade or tint of a color.
• Tinge: A slight trace of a color or feeling.
• Complexion: The natural color and appearance of a person's skin, especially on the face.

Related Phrases

• Food colouring: A substance used specifically to color food or drink.

  • She used red food colouring to make the icing for the cake.

• With a ... colouring: Having a particular quality or bias.

  • His remarks had a cynical colouring. (His remarks were characterized by cynicism.)

Related Idioms

• See something in its true colours: To see something as it really is, without deception.

  • After the scandal, the public saw the politician in his true colours. (This idiom uses "colours", the plural form, not the gerund/noun "colouring").

• Sail under false colours: To pretend to be something one is not.

  • The company was sailing under false colours, claiming to be eco-friendly while polluting. (This idiom uses "colours", the plural form).

Noun

1. the act or process of changing the color of something
2. a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
   • a white color is made up of many different wavelengths of light
3. a digestible substance used to give color to food
   • food color made from vegetable dyes