Usage of Colored
The adjective meanings of colored relating to race were formerly in common and widespread use well into the 20th century. Attitudes toward them had changed, however, by the 1960s. Although colored is still occasionally used in self-reference by and between Black people, the adjective as used by others is offensive; the terms Black and African American are preferred. Colored remains in the full name of the NAACP (the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), a civil rights organization founded in the early 20th century.
Usage of Colored
The noun colored was formerly in common and widespread use well into the 20th century, although attitudes toward it had changed by the 1960s. In most nonhistorical contexts, this use of colored is now considered unacceptable.
Examples of colored in a Sentence
S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Investigators recovered video footage from a neighboring residence that captured a dark-colored sedan matching the vehicle that was involved in previous incidents.
—Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 18 May 2026
For the winter ceremony in Switzerland, the actress wore a blush-colored minidress with a dramatic funnel collar, which featured a matching head scarf.
—Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
The aesthetic Eye-pleasing patterns, mystical motifs, and fun, boldly colored pairings.
—Bridget Mills-Powell, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 May 2026
The multi-colored flowers have a strong fragrance on summer nights that attracts moths.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 May 2026
Artificial psychedelic imagery, from brightly colored paint mixed together to blooming black roses, also recur throughout.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
Dad had a big map in his office in the public health wing of the hospital with colored pins, which showed where all the biggest rat colonies were in each neighborhood.
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
With the right laundering process in place, white linens can last just as long, if not longer, than colored linens.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Colored.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colored. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
Copy Citation
