Color or Colour | Meaning, Spelling & Example Sentences
Color and colour are different spellings of the noun referring to the hue or shade of something and the verb referring to the act of changing the colour of something by painting, shading, or dyeing it. The verb is also used figuratively to mean ‘make something vivid or expressive’.
The spelling tends to vary depending on whether you’re using UK or US English:
- In US English, ‘color’ (no ‘u’) is the correct spelling.
- In UK English, ‘colour’ (with a ‘u’) is standard.
I think we should repaint the kitchen. Grey is such a bland color/colour.
The child tried to color/colour inside the lines of the drawing.
Anthony colored/coloured the banal story by adding fantastic details.
Other forms of the word
The spelling distinction carries over to other forms of the word including ‘colored/coloured’, ‘coloring/colouring’, and ‘colorful/colourful’.
- In US English, ‘colored’, ‘coloring’, and ‘colorful’ are correct.
- In UK English, ‘coloured’, ‘colouring’, and ‘colourful’ are more common.
Jill bought Stefan a coloring/colouring book for his birthday.
There is a lot of colorful/colourful graffiti in my neighbourhood.
Expressions using color/colour
‘Color/colour’ is also used in various idioms. The regional spelling also applies to these forms.
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I finally see your true colors/colours. | One’s real character (typically, but not always, used with a negative connotation) |
| Brad is looking at the world through rose-colored/coloured glasses. | A naively positive perspective |
| Kelly passed her test with flying colors/colours. | Exceptionally well or with distinction |
Other interesting language articles
If you want to know more about commonly confused words, definitions, common mistakes, and differences between US and UK spellings, make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.
Confused words
Definitions
US vs. UK spellings
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between color and colour?
-
Color and colour mean the same thing. However, the spelling varies depending on whether you’re using UK or US English:
- In US English, ‘color’ (no ‘u’) is the correct spelling.
- In UK English, ‘colour’ (with a ‘u’) is standard.
- Is it color or colour in the USA?
-
In US English, ‘color‘ (no ‘u’) is the correct spelling. In UK English, ‘colour’ (with a ‘u’) is standard. This regional spelling distinction carries over to other forms of the words, including ‘coloring/colouring’ and ‘colorful/colourful’.
Cite this Scribbr article
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.
Ryan, E. (2023, May 23). Color or Colour | Meaning, Spelling & Example Sentences. Scribbr. Retrieved 9 December 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/uk-vs-us/color-or-colour/
