flesh-coloured
flesh-coloured — adjective
1. having a colour close to that of someone's skin, so that the object blends in an
having a colour close to that of someone's skin, so that the object blends in and is hard to notice
Beatrix wore flesh-coloured tights so they would not show under her pale summer dress.
describing clothing chosen to blend with skin
The dancer's flesh-coloured shoes made her bare legs look even longer on stage.
Tendai chose flesh-coloured plasters that almost disappeared against the back of his hand.
The doll came with a flesh-coloured plastic body and soft brown hair.
A thin, flesh-coloured strap held the small microphone close to the actor's cheek.
- nude
common for tights and underwear; sounds more like a fashion term
- skin-coloured
plainer everyday wording for the same idea
用法筆記
Usually describes clothing, makeup, or small objects (tights, plasters, straps) chosen so they are hard to see against the skin. Distinguish from sense 2, which labels a specific pinkish-brown shade and is now treated as offensive.
2. being one fixed shade, roughly a light pinkish-brown — a use many people now fin
being one fixed shade, roughly a light pinkish-brown — a use many people now find offensive, since it treats pale skin as the normal or default colour
The old crayon box labelled one pinkish stick "flesh-coloured", which teachers now say is wrong.
describing the dated, criticised colour label
Noor pointed out that calling the bandage "flesh-coloured" ignores everyone with darker skin.
register: word now treated as offensive
The paint company dropped the name "flesh-coloured" after customers complained it was unfair.
Older sewing patterns often listed a single "flesh-coloured" thread, as if all skin were the same shade.
用法筆記
Common in older product names (crayons, bandages, paint, tights). Treat as dated and offensive; modern style guides prefer naming the actual shade, such as "pale pink" or "beige". Distinguish from sense 1, which simply means matching the wearer's own skin.