colouration
/ˌkʌləˈreɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌkʌləˈreɪʃn/ (ame, ipa)
colouration — noun
- colourationsingular
- colourationsplural
1. the natural mix of colours and markings seen across a creature or a plant.
the natural mix of colours and markings seen across a creature or a plant.
The snow leopard's pale grey colouration helps it disappear among winter rocks.
pattern: the colouration of [animal]; camouflage context
Scientists compared the frog's colouration before and after it moved onto dark soil.
collocation: compare an animal's colouration
The butterfly's wing colouration changed as sunlight dried the new scales.
Gardeners admired the unusual colouration on the orchid's striped petals.
- colouring
broader and more everyday; also used for people's hair, skin, and eyes
- markings
focuses on spots, stripes, or bands rather than the whole colour effect
- pigmentation
more technical; often used in scientific or medical writing
文法句型
the colouration of [animal/plant]
bright / pale colouration
protective colouration
用法筆記
Most often used in biology or nature writing for living things. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense focuses on the natural patterning of animals and plants, not the general colour look of any object.
2. the set of colours that something has, especially when you describe its overall
the set of colours that something has, especially when you describe its overall visual look.
The deep blue colouration of the wall made the small room look cooler.
pattern: the colouration of [object/place]
Rohan chose a softer colouration for the poster after the first draft looked harsh.
collocation: choose a colouration for [design]
The old map kept its warm brown colouration despite years in storage.
The bakery's new boxes use gold-and-cream colouration for a more elegant look.
- colouring
more everyday and less formal; often preferred in ordinary conversation
- tone
narrower; usually points to one dominant shade rather than a full color effect
- colour scheme
more deliberate and designed; often used for rooms, posters, or branding
文法句型
blue / dark colouration
the colouration of [wall/package/map]
subtle colouration
用法筆記
Often appears with adjectives such as 'blue', 'dark', or 'warm' when describing an object's visual effect. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is broader and can describe rooms, packaging, or artwork, not only living things.
3. an added quality that makes a person, place, or event feel more lively or intere
an added quality that makes a person, place, or event feel more lively or interesting.
A live band gave the street market extra colouration on summer evenings.
pattern: give [place] extra colouration
The actor's quiet smile added colouration to an otherwise plain scene.
pattern: add colouration to [scene/event]
Local stories bring colouration to the museum tour for school visitors.
Her handmade signs gave the charity stall a cheerful colouration.
文法句型
add colouration to [event/story/scene]
give [something] colouration
extra colouration
用法筆記
Usually appears after verbs like 'add', 'give', or 'bring' when speakers mean extra liveliness rather than literal colour. Distinguish from senses 1 and 2: the meaning is metaphorical here.