colored

[kuhl-erd]

adjective

1. having color.

2. Older Use: Offensive.,  belonging wholly or in part to any group of nonwhite people, especially to Black people.

3. Older Use: Offensive.,  pertaining to Black people.

4. influenced or biased.

   colored opinions.

5. specious; deceptive.

   The authorities detected a colored quality in her statement.

6. Botany.,  of some hue other than green.

noun

1. Older Use: Offensive.

   1. a Black person.

   2. the colored, Black people as a group.

2. Cape Colored.

Sensitive Note

See Black ¹.

Other Word Forms

• half-colored adjective
• uncolored adjective
• uncoloredly adverb
• uncoloredness noun
• undercolored adjective
• well-colored adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of colored¹

A Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325; color, -ed ³

Example Sentences

And while coming to L.A. after the war meant opportunity, real estate investments and success as “one of the few colored detectives in Southern California,” Easy has not lost his empathy for the underdog.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of the paintings are brightly colored and spell out many hidden words like “mouth,” “alone” or “child.”

From Los Angeles Times

A unique colored glaze is being applied to gallery walls, and paintings and photos are being installed throughout.

From Los Angeles Times

Gochez and volunteers constructed an installation of brightly colored piñatas decorating an archway.

From Los Angeles Times

Entering a local restaurant, he is greeted with stony stares; a white woman points toward the colored entrance.

From Los Angeles Times

When To Use

Spelling tips for colored

The word colored is hard to spell for three reasons. First, it can be tempting to use a double l or double r. Second, in British English, the word is spelled with a u (colored), unlike in American English. Finally, the ending -ed is pronounced simply [ d ], so one may forget the e. How to spell colored: When it comes to color, keep it simple. You don't need any extra letters, like a double l, double r, or u. For adjectives like colored that end with the sound [ d ], remember that you will always need a little Extra (e) to get it Done, -ed.