colored
/ˈkʌləd/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈʌlɚd] /ˈkʌlərd/ (ame, ipa) · [kˈʌlɚd] /ˈkə-lərd/ (ame, mw)
colored — adjective
- coloredpositive
- more coloredcomparative
- most coloredsuperlative
1. the US spelling of 'coloured', used in American English for any meaning that in
the US spelling of 'coloured', used in American English for any meaning that in British English is spelled with a 'u'.
Iris switched her laptop's spell-check to US English, and it changed every 'coloured' in her report to 'colored'.
contrast: 'coloured' changed to 'colored' via spell-check
Ezra noticed that his British textbook used 'coloured' while his US workbook used 'colored'.
Naoko stared at 'coloured' in her British pen pal's letter — in Tokyo her teacher always wrote it as 'colored'.
Karim checked the AP Stylebook entry and found that US newspapers use 'colored', not 'coloured'.
用法筆記
This entry covers the US spelling. For the full treatment of meanings, see the senses below — they apply to both spellings.
2. with color present in the object or material, rather than being plain, white, bl
with color present in the object or material, rather than being plain, white, black, or all the same shade.
For Lunar New Year, Yuna cut bright colored paper into lanterns and hung them across the classroom.
collocation: colored paper / colored pencils / colored glass
Nia bought a box of colored pencils to use in her art class.
A large colored glass vase stood on the windowsill, catching the afternoon light.
Linh chose colored tiles in blue and green to make a wave pattern on the bathroom floor.
Mei used colored icing to decorate the birthday cake, then added tiny flower decorations on top.
- colorless
having no color at all; transparent or plain
文法句型
colored + noun
be + colored
用法筆記
In everyday speech, 'colored' as a simple adjective ('a colored shirt') is less common than specifying the actual color ('a red shirt'). The word appears most often in fixed phrases like 'colored pencils', 'colored paper', or 'colored glass'.
常見錯誤
3. influenced by personal feelings or opinions so that the description or account o
influenced by personal feelings or opinions so that the description or account of something is not fair, accurate, or objective.
The journalist's report was colored by her strong political views.
pattern: colored by [personal views/opinions]
Tanya's diary entries from the 1980s were colored by the political tensions her family never discussed openly.
pattern: colored by [personal experience / historical context]
During the school board meeting, Mr. Okafor felt the principal's report was colored by his friendship with the coach involved.
Valentina felt that the review was colored by the critic's personal dislike of the director.
文法句型
colored by + noun
be + colored
用法筆記
This sense is most common in the passive form 'colored by' followed by a noun that names the source of bias (feelings, experiences, politics). It is less common as a simple attributive adjective ('a colored account') in modern English.
常見錯誤
4. aimed at people whose ethnic background is not white European or who come from p
aimed at people whose ethnic background is not white European or who come from parents of different races — a dated label now considered highly insulting.
A 1917 paper called Black soldiers 'colored troops,' so Asher explained to the class why the word is now offensive.
historical context: 'colored troops' in early 20th-century documents
Ravindra explained to his class that 'colored' was once used as a racial label but is now hurtful.
A 1923 property deed for a house in Atlanta stated that 'no colored person shall occupy this building.'
During the editorial meeting, Camille recommended changing 'colored' to 'African American' in the civil rights article.
用法筆記
This sense is deeply offensive to many people. Do not use it to describe someone's race or ethnicity. Preferred modern terms include the specific nationality or ethnicity of the person, or broader respectful terms such as 'people of color' (which is distinct from the dated adjective 'colored').
常見錯誤
colored — noun
1. an old-fashioned and highly offensive word for a person who is not white or who
an old-fashioned and highly offensive word for a person who is not white or who has parents of different races; now considered unacceptable in any context.
Tennessee's 1905 streetcar segregation law used the word 'colored' to force Black passengers to sit at the back.
historical usage: appeared in legal and official documents
Chiara read in her history book that the word 'colored' was once a legal category in South Africa.
Sayaka found a 1950s census form in the archive that listed 'colored' as a racial category.
The museum exhibit explained how the word 'colored' had been used to classify and separate communities.
文法句型
the + colored
用法筆記
Never use this word to refer to a person or group in modern speech or writing. It is considered a racial slur. The preferred terms depend on context: use the specific nationality, ethnicity, or 'person of color' (plural 'people of color') — note that 'person of color' is a modern, respectful term and is not equivalent to the dated adjective 'colored'.