colours
Red, blue, yellow
Colours is the British spelling of colors—the visual qualities of objects produced by different wavelengths of light.
The word covers the same range of meanings: literal hues the colours of the rainbow, figurative associations show your true colours, and military flags trooping the colours.
In British usage, colours appears in colour film, colour scheme, and colourful language.
Refracted light arc
- prismLight-splitting optical element
- refractionWave bending between media
- dispersionScattering across space
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
visible · light · infrared · ultraviolet · absorption · emission · monochromatic · polychromatic
Emitting or reflecting light
- saturatedThoroughly soaked through
- neonInert illuminating element
- fluorescentEmitting light when energized
- luminousEmitting or reflecting light
glowing · radiant · bold · vivid · electric · intense · rich · dazzling
Primary color, warm
- passionIntense emotional drive
- greenColor of vegetation
- envyResentful longing for another's
- bluePrimary color; also sad
trust · yellow · optimism · purple · royalty · orange · creativity · black
Ability to see
- eyesightVisual perception capacity
- retinaLight-sensing tissue layer
- conesTapering geometric solids
- rodsThin cylindrical shafts
photoreceptors · colorblindness · dichromatic · afterimage · contrast · acuity · hue · saturation
Surface for mixing pigments
- pigmentsColor-giving compounds
- watercolourDiluted pigment medium
- acrylicSynthetic resin or fiber
- oilsViscous lipid liquids
pastel · gouache · tempera · tinting · shading · mixing · blending · wash
Deep purplish-red shade
- scarletBright orangish-red color
- vermilionVivid red-orange pigment
- ceruleanBright sky tone
- cobaltElement twenty-seven
turquoise · magenta · chartreuse · mauve · taupe · ochre · sienna · umber
Moderately heated, or friendly
- coolCalm or fashionable
- cheerfulPleasantly bright in mood
- sombreGloomy and serious
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
serene · energetic · calming · oppressive · inviting · cosy · stark · romantic
Pale, gentle shade
- subduedReduced in intensity
- fadedLost original color
- washed-outLacking original vibrancy
- dustyCoated with fine particles
soft · pale · desaturated · neutral · earthy · mellow · understated · chalky
rainbow
Refracted light arc
- prismLight-splitting optical element
- refractionWave bending between media
- dispersionScattering across space
wavelength · visible · light · infrared · ultraviolet · absorption · emission · monochromatic · polychromatic · nanometer
bright
Emitting or reflecting light
- saturatedThoroughly soaked through
- neonInert illuminating element
- fluorescentEmitting light when energized
luminous · glowing · radiant · bold · vivid · electric · intense · rich · dazzling · brilliant
red
Primary color, warm
blue · trust · yellow · optimism · purple · royalty · orange · creativity · black · mourning
vision
Ability to see
rods · photoreceptors · colorblindness · dichromatic · afterimage · contrast · acuity · hue · saturation · brightness
palette
Surface for mixing pigments
- pigmentsColor-giving compounds
- watercolourDiluted pigment medium
- acrylicSynthetic resin or fiber
oils · pastel · gouache · tempera · tinting · shading · mixing · blending · wash · glaze
crimson
Deep purplish-red shade
cobalt · turquoise · magenta · chartreuse · mauve · taupe · ochre · sienna · umber · indigo
warm
Moderately heated, or friendly
melancholy · serene · energetic · calming · oppressive · inviting · cosy · stark · romantic · gloomy
pastel
Pale, gentle shade
- subduedReduced in intensity
- fadedLost original color
- washed-outLacking original vibrancy
dusty · soft · pale · desaturated · neutral · earthy · mellow · understated · chalky · greyed
flag
Cloth symbol or signal
livery · school · corporate · branding · national · clan · gang · political · tribal · sporting
- Royal NavyRoyal Navy, admiral, warship, HMS Victory, battleship
- Snookersnooker, cue, cue ball, pot, pocket
- Biker ClubsHells Angels, Mongols, Outlaws, cuts, prospect
- joustingjoust, jousting, lance, tilt, tilting
- steeplechasesteeplechase, steeplechaser, hurdle, hurdles, hurdler
- militarysoldiers, army, troops, officers, navy
coloursblack and white
Without middle ground
monochrome · grayscale · achromatic · black · white
- secondary colourHue from two primaries
- colouring outside the linesDisregarding established boundaries intentionally
- colouring bookPages with outlined pictures
- colouring inside the linesPrecise, bounded creative work
- colour blindCannot differentiate certain hues
- rose-coloured glassesNaively optimistic perspective
colour, coloured, colouring, colourful, colourless, colourfully, colouration, discoloured, discolour