high-coloured

A woman's high-coloured cheeks glow in the winter air.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having a deep, vivid, or intense color: "high-coloured" describes something with a strong, bright, or saturated hue, often used for fabrics, paintings, or natural objects.
   • Having a flushed or rosy complexion: Used particularly for a person's face, meaning reddened or ruddy, often due to health, emotion, or exertion.
   • Excessively vivid or florid in style: In a figurative sense, it can refer to language, descriptions, or art that is overly ornate, dramatic, or exaggerated.

Usage Examples

• Literal (color):

  • The artist used high-coloured pigments to create a striking sunset. (The paints were very bright and intense.)
  • She wore a high-coloured scarf that caught everyone's attention. (The scarf had a vivid, strong color.)

• Literal (complexion):

  • After running, his face became high-coloured and sweaty. (His face turned red and flushed.)
  • The old man had a high-coloured nose from years outdoors. (His nose was red and ruddy.)

• Figurative (style):

  • The novel's high-coloured prose made the story feel melodramatic. (The writing was excessively ornate and exaggerated.)

Advanced Usage

• "High-coloured language": speech or writing that is emotionally charged or overly dramatic.

  • The politician's high-coloured speech stirred the crowd, but lacked substance. (The speech was full of vivid, exaggerated claims.)

• "High-coloured complexion": a medical or descriptive term for a face that is redder than normal, often indicating high blood pressure or fever.

  • The doctor noted the patient's high-coloured cheeks as a symptom. (The cheeks were flushed and red.)

Variants and Related Words

• High color (noun phrase): the quality of being vivid or flushed.

  • The high color of the fruit indicated it was ripe. (The fruit had a deep, intense color.)

• Colour (noun): the property of light as perceived by the eye; hue.

  • She prefers bright colours in her clothing. (She likes vivid hues.)

• Coloured (adjective): having a specified color or colors.

  • A coloured glass window lets in light of various hues. (A window with colored panes.)

Synonyms

• Vivid: intensely bright or deep in color.
• Florid: having a red or flushed complexion; also, excessively ornate in style.
• Ruddy: red and healthy in appearance (especially of skin).
• Flushed: reddened from emotion, exertion, or illness.

Related Idioms

• "Paint in high colours": to describe something in an exaggerated or vivid manner.

  • The journalist painted the event in high colours to make it more exciting. (The journalist exaggerated the details.)

• "High colour": a common phrase for a ruddy complexion.

  • His high colour gave him a healthy appearance. (His rosy cheeks made him look well.)