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.