light-coloured

IPA/ˌlaɪt ˈkʌləd/
IPA/ˌlaɪt ˈkʌlərd/

light-coloured — adjective

1. describes a colour that has a lot of white mixed in so that it is close to pale

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describes a colour that has a lot of white mixed in so that it is close to pale and not dark or strong — for example, light-coloured wood is a pale beige or soft brown, not a deep dark brown.

Example

Rosa chose a light-coloured sofa for her living room to make it feel more open.

chose + light-coloured + [noun] + purpose clause

The kitchen walls were painted in a light-coloured shade that reflected the morning sunshine.

passive: were painted in a ... shade

Common collocations
  • light-coloured walls
  • light-coloured clothes
  • light-coloured wood
  • light-coloured fabric
  • light-coloured paint
  • light-coloured sofa
  • light-coloured curtains
Synonyms
  • pale

    very similar to light-coloured, used for any colour with a lot of white; 'pale' is more common in everyday speech

  • pastel

    describes soft, light shades such as pink, blue, or green, but not used for beige, grey, or white

  • faded

    suggests the colour was once brighter but has lost strength over time; has a slightly worn connotation

  • whitish

    less common; describes a colour that is almost white but not completely

Antonyms
  • dark-coloured

    the direct opposite; describes colours with little white and a lot of black or deep pigment

  • deep

    describes a strong, intense colour that is the opposite of pale or light

Grammar Patterns

be + light-coloured

light-coloured + noun

Usage Note

This is the British spelling; the American spelling is 'light-colored'. Commonly used to describe paint, fabric, wood, and buildings.

Common Mistakes

She wore a light colour dress.
She wore a light-coloured dress.
When used as a compound adjective before a noun, 'light-coloured' needs a hyphen.
The walls are light-colour.
The walls are light-coloured.
When used after the verb 'be', the form is 'light-coloured' (adjective), not 'light colour' (noun phrase).

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe colours that are not dark or strong, but they differ in nuance. 'Light-coloured' is a broad, neutral term — it simply says the colour has a lot of white in it. 'Pale' is very similar but carries a slightly softer, often more natural tone ('pale blue sky'). 'Pastel' specifically refers to soft, delicate shades like pale pink, lavender, or mint green — it is not used for beige, grey, or off-white. 'Faded' implies the colour was once richer and has lost intensity over time from washing or sunlight. Use 'light-coloured' when you want a factual description; use 'pale' for a gentler feel; use 'pastel' for soft decorative colours; and use 'faded' when age or wear is relevant. For example: 'She wore a light-coloured linen shirt.' versus 'The old photograph had faded edges.'

pale ↗pastel ↗faded ↗light-coloured ↗

Etymology

Old EnglishLatinOld FrenchEnglish

Formed in English by combining 'light' (from Old English 'lēoht', meaning not heavy or not dark — here the colour sense) with 'coloured' (past participle of 'colour', from Latin 'color' via Old French 'colour'). The compound has been used since the 16th century to describe pale shades.