yellow-brown

IPA/jˈɛləʊbɹˈaʊn/
IPA/jˈɛloʊbɹˈaʊn/

yellow-brown — adjective

1. describing a color that mixes yellow and brown, like the shade of dead leaves, c

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describing a color that mixes yellow and brown, like the shade of dead leaves, clay soil, or dried grass in late autumn

Example

The old pottery had a beautiful yellow-brown glaze that reflected the sunlight.

collocation: yellow-brown glaze

By November the rice fields near the village had turned a dry yellow-brown.

turn + yellow-brown (change of color)

Common collocations
  • yellow-brown leaves
  • yellow-brown clay
  • yellow-brown glaze
  • yellow-brown paint
  • turn yellow-brown
Synonyms
  • tan

    a lighter, warmer brownish-yellow, especially of leather or skin

  • ochre

    a stronger, more reddish yellow-brown, used in art and geology

  • dun

    a duller, grayer yellow-brown, often used for horses, cloth, or landscape

Grammar Patterns

yellow-brown + noun

be + yellow-brown

turn + yellow-brown

Usage Note

As a compound adjective formed from two color names, yellow-brown is usually written with a hyphen. It is not normally used in comparative (more yellow-brown) or superlative (most yellow-brown) forms.

Common Mistakes

The leaves become more yellow-brown in October.
The leaves turn yellow-brown in October.
Compound color adjectives are not usually used in comparative forms.