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colored
/ˈkʌləɹd/
The word 'colored' is primarily used as an adjective. When referring to people, the term 'colored' is now largely considered outdated and potentially offensive, especially in North America and Europe. It was historically used to describe people of non-white descent but has been replaced by terms like 'Black,' 'people of color,' or more specific ethnic or racial identifiers. Using 'colored' to refer to people in contemporary conversation can be seen as insensitive or ignorant of its historical context, particularly its association with segregation. However, it is still commonly and neutrally used to describe things that have a color, as in 'colored pencils' or 'colored lights.'
💬Casual Conversation
Why are these charts colored? Just keep it grayscale and cut the fluff.
I thought it would pop more. My bad, I'll pivot back to B&W.
Meanings
Collocations & Compounds
colored pencils
Pencils with a colored core used for drawing and coloring.
The child happily drew with colored pencils.
colored lights
Lights that emit or display color.
The stage was illuminated by colored lights.
colored ink
Ink that is not black or blue.
She signed the card with colored ink.
colored photograph
A photograph that displays colors, not monochrome.
He found an old colored photograph of his grandparents.
colored glass
Glass that has been manufactured with colorants.
The cathedral windows were made of colored glass.
Idioms & Sayings
colored person
An outdated and often offensive term for a non-white person.
The sign read 'Waiting Room for Colored Persons'.
Etymology
The word 'colored' originates from the Old English word 'colered', a past participle of 'colerian', meaning 'to color'. This, in turn, derives from the Latin word 'color', meaning 'hue, shade, tint, or appearance'. The concept of color itself is ancient, and the application of 'colored' to describe people with non-white complexions emerged in English over time, particularly during periods of colonialism and racial classification. Initially, it was a more general descriptive term, but it evolved to carry specific social and historical connotations, often used in contexts of racial segregation and identity, especially in the United States.