party-coloured
Definition
Adjective: - Having varied colors: "party-coloured" describes something that is marked with different colors; variegated or multicolored. It is primarily used in British English (also spelled "party-colored" in American English). The word "party" here does not refer to a social gathering but derives from an older sense meaning "part" or "divided," thus indicating a surface divided into different colors.
Usage Examples
- (The flowers had multiple colors mixed together.)
- (The scarf had varied hues.)
- (The fabric showed different colors in different areas.)
Advanced Usage
- "party-coloured" in formal or literary contexts: Often used to describe natural phenomena, textiles, or artistic works that exhibit a pleasing or striking variety of colors.
- The sunset was party-coloured, painting the sky in shades of orange, pink, and violet. (The sunset displayed a range of colors.)
- Figurative use: Occasionally used metaphorically to describe something that is diverse or mixed in nature, not just in color.
- The festival was a party-coloured event, featuring music, dance, and food from many cultures. (The event was varied and multicultural.)
Variants and Related Words
- Party-colored (adj, American English spelling): same meaning as "party-coloured."
- The party-colored bird had feathers of blue, green, and yellow. (The bird was multicolored.)
- Parti-coloured (adj, alternate spelling): a less common variant, but identical in meaning.
- The parti-coloured cat had patches of black and white. (The cat had two distinct colors.)
- Variegated (adj): marked with different colors, especially in irregular patches or streaks.
- The variegated leaves of the plant were green and cream. (Leaves with two or more colors.)
Synonyms
- Multicolored: having many colors.
- Variegated: showing different colors, especially in a pattern.
- Motley: composed of diverse colors or elements (often used for a mixed group).
- Pied: having patches of two or more colors, especially black and white (e.g., a pied horse).
Related Idioms
- There are no common idioms directly using "party-coloured." However, the word "party" in other contexts appears in idioms like "party to something" (involved in), which is unrelated.
Notes
- This word is relatively rare in modern English and is more likely to be encountered in older or literary texts. In everyday speech, "multicolored" or "colorful" are more common alternatives.