Compilation of English colors vocabulary

English colors vocabulary

Meaning

Example

White /waɪt/ (adj)

of a colour like that of snow, milk, or bone

My grandfather is white-haired now. 

Blue /bluː/

(adj)

of the colour of the sky without clouds on a bright day, or a darker or lighter type of this

Linda hands were blue with cold. 

Green /griːn/

(adj)

of a colour between blue and yellow; of the colour of grass

My mom puts my new green T-shirt in a hot wash and the colour ran. 

Yellow /ˈjel. əʊ/

(adj)

a colour like that of a lemon or gold or the sun

Victoria should wear more yellow – it suits her. 

Orange /ˈɒr. ɪndʒ/

(adj)

a round sweet fruit that has a thick orange skin and an orange centre divided into many parts

Orange is my dad favourite colour. 

Red /red/ 

(adj)

of the colour of fresh blood

My boyfriend drives a red sports car. 

Pink /pɪŋk/

(adj)

of a pale red colour

This boy was wearing a vivid pink shirt. 

Purple /ˈpɜːpl/

(adj)

of a dark reddish-blue colour

The evening sky in my hometown was full of purples and reds. 

Gray /greɪ/

(adj)

of the colour that is a mixture of black and white, the colour of rain clouds

My grandmother was dressed in gray. 

Black /blæk/

(adj)

having the darkest colour there is, like the colour of coal or of a very dark night

The zebra is a wild African horse with black and white stripes. 

Brown /braʊn/

(adj)

the colour of chocolate or soil

Olive is very handsome, with regular features and deep brown eyes. 

Silver /ˈsɪlvə/

(adj)

(of) a bright gray-white color

My mom has silver hair. 

Vocabulary/ Phrase

Meaning

Example

Vocabulary

Silvery

/ˈsɪlvəri/

A light, reflective shade that resembles silver

The grass in front of my house was silvery because of frost.

Lily-white

/ˈlɪli waɪt/

An extremely pure and bright white, reminiscent of the petals of a lily flower

She had a lily-white complexion, which made her look very delicate. 

Snow white

/snoʊ waɪt/

A pure, bright white color similar to freshly fallen snow

The dress was as bright and pure as snow white.

Off white

/ɔf waɪt/

a white colour with a little grey or yellow in it

They chose an off-white paint for the walls to create a soft, warm atmosphere.

White-livered

/ˈwaɪt ˌlɪvərd/

lacking courage; cowardly

My husband is a white-livered person.

Idiom

A white lie

/ə waɪt laɪ/

a harmless or trivial lie, especially one told to avoid hurting someone's feelings

He told a white lie as his excuse for missing the party. 

A white-collar worker/job

/ə ˈwaɪt ˈkɑlər ˈwɜrkər/dʒɑb/

relating to people who work in offices, doing work that needs mental rather than physical effort

A white-collar worker is a person who performs professional. 

As white as a sheet/ghost

/æz waɪt æz ə ʃit/goʊst/

Extremely and unnaturally pale, as owing to fear or illness

Do you feel alright? Your face is white as a ghost! 

Vocabulary/ Phrase

Meaning

Example

Vocabulary

Light grey

/laɪt ɡreɪ/

A pale shade of grey that is closer to white than to black

She chose a light grey sofa to brighten up the living room.

Dark grey

/dɑrk ɡreɪ/

A deeper shade of grey that is closer to black

The walls were painted a dark grey to create a cozy atmosphere in the study.

Ash Gray

/æʃ ɡreɪ/

A medium to light shade of grey with a slightly bluish or brownish tint, resembling the color of ashes

She chose ash gray curtains to complement the modern, minimalist decor of her living room. 

Dove gray

/dʌv ɡreɪ/

a soft, muted shade of gray that resembles the color of a dove's feathers

They painted the bedroom walls a soft dove gray to create a calming atmosphere. 

Idiom

Go/turn grey

/ɡoʊ/tɜrn ɡreɪ/

the process of hair losing its pigment and becoming grey over time, often associated with aging or stress

As my mom gets older, her hair is starting to turn grey. 

Grey matter

 /ɡreɪ ˈmætər/

the darker tissue containing nerve fibres (= structures like threads) found in the brain and spinal cord

It’s not the sort of film that stimulates the grey matter much. 

Gray water

/ɡreɪ ˈwɔtər/

water that has been used before, for example for washing, that can be stored and used again, for example in toilets

Water companies are testing recycling units which take grey water and clean it up sufficiently for flushing toilets. 

Vocabulary/ Phrase

Meaning

Example

Vocabulary

Wine

/waɪn/

a deep, rich shade of red that resembles the color of red wine.

She poured a glass of red wine to accompany the dinner. 

Brick

/brɪk/

A deep, muted shade of red that resembles the color of traditional bricks

The house was built with red bricks, giving it a rustic appearance. 

Plum

/plʌm/

A rich, dark shade of red with purple undertones, reminiscent of the color of ripe plums

He chose a plum-colored tie to match his dark suit. 

Bright red

/brait red/

A vivid, intense shade of red that is bold and eye-catching.

She wore a bright red dress that caught everyone's eye at the party. 

Cherry

/’t∫eri/

A bright, cheerful shade of red that resembles the color of ripe cherries

The room was decorated with cherry-colored cushions, adding a vibrant touch to the decor. 

Reddish

/’redi∫/

a color that has a hint or undertone of red, but is not purely red.

"The sky took on a reddish hue as the sun set behind the mountains.

Rosy

/’rəʊzi/

(especially of a person's skin) colored like a pink or red rose, typically as an indication of health, youth, or embarrassment.

Her cheeks had a rosy glow from the cold winter air. 

Idiom

Be in the red

/bi ɪn ðə rɛd/

If you or your bank account are in the red, you owe money to the bank

Apparently the company had been in the red for some time before it went out of business.

Like a red rag to a bull

/laɪk ə rɛd ræɡ tu ə bʊl/

to be certain to produce an angry or violent reaction

This sort of information is like a red rag to a bull for the tobacco companies.

Roll out the red carpet

/roʊl aʊt ðə rɛd ˈkɑrpɪt/

to welcome someone as a very important person or guest

We’ll roll out the red carpet for the senator.

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Vocabulary

Blackish

/ˈblækɪʃ/

a color that is close to black but not completely black; it may have slight variations or undertones

The walls had a blackish tint from the smoke of the fireplace. 

Sooty

/ˈsʊti/

black, or the colour of soot (= a black powder produced when coal, wood, etc. is burned)

The chimney was sooty from years of coal burning. 

Inky

/ˈɪŋki/

a deep, rich black color, similar to the color of ink

The night sky was inky black, with no moon or stars visible. 

Idiom

A black day

/ə blæk deɪ/

a day when something sad, unpleasant or disastrous happens (to somebody)

Christmas is a black day for us because Pop-Pop isn’t here anymore.

A blacklist

/ə ˈblæk.lɪst/

a list of people, countries, etc. who are considered by a particular authority or group to be unacceptable and who should be avoided and not trusted

His record as an anarchist put him on the government’s blacklist.

A black look

/ə blæk lʊk/

an expression on your face that is full of anger and hate

Passing my stall, she cast black looks at the amount of stuff still unsold.

Be in the black

/bi ɪn ðə blæk/

If a bank account is in the black, it contains some money, and if a person or business is in the black, that person or business has money in the bank and is not in debt

The company’s operations in Japan are now in the black.

Black and blue

/blæk ənd bluː/

with dark marks on your skin caused by being hit or having an accident

My brother’s arm was black and blue.

Black sheep (of the family)

/blæk ʃiːp (ʌv ðə ˈfæmɪli)/

a person who has done something bad that brings embarrassment or shame to his or her family

If he was the black sheep of the family, they were probably glad to have him gone.

Black market

/blæk ˈmɑrkɪt/

illegal trading of goods that are not allowed to be bought and sold, or that there are not enough of for everyone who wants them

During the war, they bought food on the black market.

Till one is blue in the face

/tɪl wʌn ɪz bluː ɪn ðə feɪs/

If you say or shout something until you are blue in the face, you are wasting your efforts because you will get no results

You can say ‘don’t do it’ until you’re blue in the face, but if kids want to do it, they will.

Vocabulary/ Phrase

Meaning

Example

Vocabulary

Chlorophyll

/‘klɔrəfili/

a rich, natural green, the vibrant green pigment found in plants that is essential for photosynthesis

The chlorophyll in the leaves is essential for photosynthesis. 

Emerald

/´emərəld/

a transparent, bright green, valuable stone that is often used in jewellery

She wore an emerald necklace that sparkled in the sunlight.

Bright green

/brait griːn/

A vivid and intense shade of green that is eye-catching and lively

The bright green of the grass made the park look fresh and lively.

Light green

/lait griːn /

A pale or pastel shade of green that is softer and more subtle

He painted the walls a light green to make the room feel more spacious. 

Dark green

/dɑ:k griːn

A deep, rich shade of green that can convey a sense of stability and sophistication, often associated with forests

The dark green of the forest was almost impenetrable. 

reddish green
/ˈrɛdɪʃ ɡriːn/

A color that has both green and red undertones

The forest was full of different shades of reddish green, with leaves that seemed to change color in the dappled sunlight. 

Limon

/laimən/

A bright, zesty shade of green, similar to the color of lime

The vibrant limon color of the new summer collection immediately caught everyone's attention. 

Avocado /ævə´ka:dou/

A muted, earthy green that resembles the color of ripe avocados

The walls were painted in a rich avocado hue, which gave the room a cozy and organic feel. 

Idiom

A green belt

/ə ɡrin bɛlt/

an area of land surrounding a city where building is not usually allowed

This is the first review of greenbelt policy since 1985.

Be green around the gills

/bi ɡrin əˈraʊnd ðə ɡɪlz/

to look ill and pale

Some of the passengers looked kind of green around the gills after the trip! 

Give someone get the green light

/ɡɪv ˈsʌmwʌn/ /ɡɛt ðə ɡrin laɪt/

to give permission for someone to do something or for something to happen

The food industry was given a green light to extend the use of these chemicals.

Green with envy

/ɡrin wɪð ˈɛnvi/

to be very unhappy because someone has something that you want

They were green with envy over the neighbors’ new boat.

Have (got) green fingers

/hæv (ɡɑt) ɡrin ˈfɪŋɡərz/

to be good at gardening and making plants grow well

My mom can keep any plant alive, even ones that I’ve nearly killed—she seriously has green fingers.

Vocabulary/ Phrase

Meaning

Example

Vocabulary

Turquoise /ˈtɜː.kwɔɪz/

a bluish-green semi-precious stone that is often used in jewellery

She chose a turquoise dress for the beach party because it matched the ocean perfectly.

Light Blue 

/laɪt bluː/

A soft, pale shade of blue, evoking feelings of serenity and tranquility.

The baby’s room was painted a light blue to create a calm and soothing environment. 

Navy /ˈneɪ.vi/

A very dark shade of blue, almost black

He wore a navy suit to the wedding, which complemented the formal atmosphere. 

Bright blue /brait bluː/

A vivid and intense shade of blue that is eye-catching and energetic, often associated with clear skies

The bright blue sky made the perfect backdrop for the outdoor wedding. 

Pale blue 

/peil blu:/

A very light and soft shade of blue that is gentle and delicate, often used in design to create a peaceful atmosphere.

She painted her nails a pale blue shade that looked elegant and understated. 

Idiom

A blue-collar worker/job

/ə bluː-ˈkɑlər ˈwɜrkər/ /dʒɑb/

relating to people who do physical work rather than mental work, and who usually do not work in an office

My dad is a blue-collar worker 

A bolt from the blue

/ə boʊlt frʌm ðə bluː/

something important or unusual that happens suddenly or unexpectedly

The resignation of the chairman came like a bolt from the blue.

Blue blood

/bluː blʌd/

the fact of someone having been born into a family that belongs to the highest social class

This is where the city’s blue bloods like to gather.

Blue ribbon

/bluː ˈrɪbən/

the highest prize in a competition or event

Our pumpkin won the blue ribbon at the county fair this year.

Once in a blue moon

/wʌns ɪn ə bluː muːn/

not very often

Such a chance comes once in a blue moon.

Out of the blue

/aʊt ʌv ðə bluː/

If something happens out of the blue, it is completely unexpected

One of them wrote to us out of the blue several years later.

True-blue

/truː bluː/

completely loyal to a person or belief

You don’t need to worry about Kimberley – she’s true-blue.

Vocabulary/ Phrase

Meaning

Example

Vocabulary

Gillyflower

/´dʒili¸flauə/

A soft, delicate shade of pink, sweetness and elegance

The garden was filled with flowers in various shades of gillyflower, adding a lovely touch to the landscape. 

Baby pink

/’beibi pɪŋk/

A very light and soft shade of pink, gentle and calming.

She decorated the nursery with baby pink walls and white furniture. 

Salmon

/´sæmən/

A warm, pinkish-orange hue similar to the flesh of salmon fish

He wore a salmon-colored tie that perfectly matched his shirt. 

Pink red

/pɪŋk red/

A vibrant hue that blends pink and red, resulting in a lively and energetic color

The sunset was a beautiful blend of pink red and orange hues. 

Murrey

/’mʌri/

A deep, rich shade of red with purple undertones

She chose a murrey dress for the evening event, which stood out beautifully against the dark background.

Scarlet

/’skɑ:lət/

A bright, intense shade of red that is bold and eye-catching

The actress wore a stunning scarlet gown that captured everyone's attention.

Vermeil

/’və:meil/

A rich, warm shade of red with golden undertones, resembling the color of fine gold-plated silver

The antique mirror had a frame painted in a rich vermeil color. 

Idiom

In the pink

/ɪn ðə pɪŋk/

in very good health

Marsha has recovered from the flu and is feeling in the pink again.

Pink slip

/pɪŋk slɪp/

a document given to a person saying that they do not have a job any more

About 30% of the department’s 60 engineers received pink slips.

Pink-collar worker

/pɪŋk-ˈkɑlər ˈwɜrkər/

relating to low-paying jobs that are traditionally done by women

Until recently secretarial work and nursing were very much pink-collar professions.

Rubine

/ruːˈbaɪn/

a deep, vivid shade of red that resembles the color of rubies

She chose a rubine red dress for the gala, which stood out beautifully against the elegant backdrop.

Vocabulary/ Phrase

Meaning

Example

Brown as a berry

/braʊn æz ə ˈbɛri/

someone who has tanned skin, due to prolonged exposure to the sunlight

Steve Hobbs is brown as a berry when he has just come back from his holiday.

Brown study

/braʊn ˈstʌdi/

a mood in which you are quiet, thinking a lot, and paying attention to your own thoughts rather than what is going on around you

Meredith sat at her desk in a brown study, carefully planning how to word her thesis proposal. 

Browned off

/braʊnd ɔf/

annoyed, irritated, or dissatisfied

Sorry, I’m just thoroughly browned off.

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Vocabulary

Melon

/´melən/

A soft, warm shade of orange-pink, reminiscent of the color of ripe melons

She wore a dress in a soft melon shade that was perfect for the summer wedding. 

Sunflower

/´sʌn¸flauə/

A bright, vibrant yellow similar to the petals of a sunflower

The living room was brightened up by the sunflower-yellow curtains, which added a cheerful and vibrant touch. 

Tangerine

/tændʒə’ri:n/

A bright, juicy orange hue that resembles the color of tangerines

He enjoyed a refreshing tangerine smoothie on a hot day. 

Gold

/gold- colored/

A rich, warm yellow color resembling gold metal

She wore a gold necklace that sparkled in the sunlight. 

Yellowish

/‘jelouiʃ/

A color that has a slight yellow tint but is not purely yellow

The old pages of the book had a yellowish tint, indicating its age.

Waxen

/´wæksən/

A waxen face has pale, shiny skin and does not look healthy

His face was waxen and pale after the long illness.

Pale yellow

/peil ˈjel.əʊ/

A very light shade of yellow

She chose a pale yellow paint for the bedroom walls to create a calm atmosphere.

Apricot yellow

/ˈeɪ.prɪ.kɒt ˈjel.əʊ/

A warm, soft yellow with a hint of orange, resembling the color of apricots

The living room walls were painted a soft apricot yellow, giving the space a warm, inviting feel. 

Idiom

Yellow-bellied

/ˈjɛloʊ ˈbɛl.i.d/

not brave and easily frightened

He was called yellow-bellied by his friends for backing out of the challenge. 

Yellow streak

/ˈjɛloʊ strik/

a tendency to be cowardly, craven, etc.

She showed a yellow streak when she refused to go on the roller coaster. 

Yellow journalism

/ˈjɛloʊ ˈdʒɜrnəlɪzəm/

journalism that is based upon sensationalism and crude exaggeration

The newspaper was criticized for its use of yellow journalism to increase circulation. 

Structure

Example

Asking and answering about color

The subject is a singular noun/ uncountable noun:

• Question: What color + is + subject?

• Answer: It is (It’s) + color.

What color is my best friend's hair? – It’s blonde. 

The subject is a plural noun:

• Question: What color + are + subject?

• Answer: They are (They’re) + color.

What color are Linda’s eyes? – They are brown.

Choice question using "or" with the verb to be

Asking a person or thing which has one of two characteristics:

• Question: Is + S + Adj 1 + or + Adj 2

• Answer: S + is + Adj 1/ Adj 2

Is Alex’s hair brown or blonde? – It’s blonde.

Asking many people or things which has one of two characteristics:

• Question: Are + S + Adj 1 + or + Adj 2

• Answer: S + are + Adj 1/ Adj 2

Note: You can replace the adjective with a noun.

Are Anna and John’s hair brown or blonde? – It’s blonde.

Question

Answer

What color is this?

This is blue/red/yellow. 

What is your favorite color? 

My favorite color is a coral color. 

Why do you like the coral color? 

I like the coral color because it symbolizes the lucky and health. How about you? 

1 - Black

2 - Orange

3 - Yellow

4 - Blue

5 - Green

6 - Red

7 - Pink

8 - Brown

9 - Grey

10 - White

• Picture 1 - red - picture 5 (hat)

• Picture 2 - pink - picture 3 (lollipop)

• Picture 3 - orange - picture 7 (orange)

• Picture 4 - blue - picture 2 (dinosaur)

• Picture 5 - gray - picture 4 (elephant)

• Picture 6 - yellow - picture 6 (car)

• Picture 7 - green - picture 1 (leaf)

• Picture 8 - purple - picture 8 (grapes)

• Picture 9 - black - picture 10 (cat)

• Picture 10 - brown - picture 9 (bear)