Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To cause something to change from its original or natural color, often in an undesirable way, such as by staining, fading, or chemical reaction.
   • To cause something to lose its color.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To become changed in color, often undesirably.
   • To lose color or become colorless.

Usage

• As a transitive verb, "discolor" takes a direct object (e.g., ).
• As an intransitive verb, it does not take a direct object (e.g., ).
• It typically describes an unwanted or negative change in appearance.

Examples

• Transitive use:
  • The harsh chemicals in the water can discolor your hair.
  • Spilling red wine on the carpet will discolor it.
• Intransitive use:
  • Old photographs often discolor and turn yellow.
  • The leaves began to discolor and fall from the tree.

Advanced Usage

• "to discolor with age": to change color as a natural result of getting older.
  • The pages of the ancient book had discolored with age.
• "to discolor upon exposure": to change color when subjected to something (e.g., light, air).
  • This pigment will discolor upon exposure to strong sunlight.

Variants and Related Words

• Discoloration (noun): the process or result of becoming discolored.
  • There was a noticeable discoloration on the wall where the painting had hung.
• Discolored (adjective): having lost or changed from the original color.
  • He replaced the discolored tiles in the bathroom.

Synonyms

• Stain: to leave a mark that is difficult to remove.
• Fade: to lose brightness or color gradually.
• Tarnish: to become less bright or discolored, especially metal.
• Bleach: to make white or pale by removing color.

Antonyms

• Color (verb): to add color to something.
• Brighten: to make more bright or colorful.
• Restore: to bring back to an original state, including color.

Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "discolor" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. The meaning is typically contained in the single word.)

Related Idioms

(Note: There are no common idioms that use the exact word "discolor.")

Verb

1. change color, often in an undesired manner
   • The shirts discolored
2. cause to lose or change color
   • The detergent discolored my shirts
3. lose color or turn colorless
   • The painting discolored