cyan

1 of 2

noun

cy·​an ˈsī-ˌan How to pronounce cyan (audio)
-ən
: a greenish-blue color
—used in photography and color printing of one of the primary colors

cyan-

2 of 2

combining form

variants or cyano-
1
: dark blue : blue
cyanobacterium
2
: cyanogen
cyanide
3
: cyanide
cyanogenetic

Examples of cyan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Black, navy, red, orange and cyan draw them in. — Ryan Brennan may 1, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026 Attractive shades include black, navy, red, orange and cyan. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026 Aquamarine, cyan blue, and turquoise will be making a splash on toes, like this statement pedi by The Nail Atelier. — Mica Ricketts, Refinery29, 23 May 2025 Indeed, while Piccioli paid his respects, his own touches could also be felt in the pops of violet, cyan and highlighter yellow. — Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cyan

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Greek kyanos

Combining form

German, from Greek kyan-, kyano-, from kyanos dark blue enamel

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cyan was circa 1889

Rhymes for cyan

See All Rhymes for cyan

Browse Nearby Words

cyamelide
cyan
cyan-
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cyan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cyan. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

cyan

noun
cy·​an ˈsī-ˌan How to pronounce cyan (audio)
-ən
: a greenish blue

More from Merriam-Webster on cyan

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cyan

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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