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colored

/ˈkʌləɹd/

In a literal sense, it describes something that possesses hue as opposed to being monochromatic (black, white, or gray). In this context, it is neutral and purely descriptive, used for art supplies or photography. When applied to people, the word carries heavy historical and social baggage. In the United States, it is inextricably linked to the era of segregation and Jim Crow laws. While it was once used as a self-descriptor by some early civil rights movements (e.g., NAACP), it is now widely regarded as archaic, offensive, or an ethnic slur in most modern contexts. There is a sharp distinction between 'colored' and 'person of color'. The latter is a contemporary, generally accepted term for identity and solidarity, whereas 'colored' evokes a history of systemic exclusion and racial hierarchy.

💬Trò chuyện

🎬Tuesday afternoon in the office; Victoria is reviewing a presentation deck David just sent over.
Victoria

Why are these charts colored? Just keep it grayscale and cut the fluff.

Victoria
David
David

I thought it would pop more. My bad, I'll pivot back to B&W.

💡
Victoria is criticizing David's aesthetic choices for being unprofessional. David uses the corporate slang 'pop' (to stand out visually) and 'pivot' (to change direction/strategy), reflecting his attempt to sound like a visionary despite being reprimanded.

Ý nghĩa

adjective

Having a color or colors; not black, white, or gray.

"a colored pencil set"

adjective

Relating to or denoting people who are not white.

"a colored person's experience"

adjective

Printed or dyed in color.

"a colored photograph"

adjective

Having a dark or tanned complexion.

"a colored member of the team"

Cụm từ kết hợp

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.

Thành ngữ & Tục ngữ

colored person

An outdated and often offensive term for a non-white person.

The sign read 'Waiting Room for Colored Persons'.

Từ nguyên

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.

Last Updated: May 23, 2026Report an Error