Colors in English - LinguoDan

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Colors in English: Basic Names, Usage, and Expressions

It is well known that the basic spectrum includes seven different colors, while everything else consists of shades. However, knowing their names is also important. Let’s first clarify the difference between “Colour” and “Color.” It’s simple: “Colour” is the British spelling, while “Color” is the more common American version. Now, let’s look at the basic colors in English.

Basic Colors in English

	Color	[ˈkələr]
	Red	[ red ]
	Orange	[ ˈɒrɪndʒ ]
	Yellow	[ ˈjeləʊ ]
	Green	[ ɡriːn ]
	Blue	[ bluː ]
	Рurple	[ pɜːpl ]
	Pink	[ pɪŋk ]
	White	[ waɪt ]
	Black	[ blæk ]
	Brown	[ braʊn ]
	Gray	[ ɡreɪ ]

Using Colors in Sentences

1. Color Name After a Verb

In this case, the color acts as a noun and comes after the verb “to be” or other stative verbs.

The sky is blue.
Her dress was red.
My car is black.

2. Color as a Noun

Sometimes, color names function as nouns and can be used with articles.

Red is my favorite color.
He likes to wear black.
The walls were painted in a soft yellow.

3. Color Before a Noun (Adjective Role)

When a color describes a noun, it acts as an adjective and comes before it.

She bought a green dress.
He drives a white car.
We have a brown dog.

4. Shades of Colors

To specify the shade of a color, words like “light” and “dark” are commonly used.

She has light blue eyes.
He painted the room dark green.
I prefer pale pink to bright pink.

5. Comparisons and Metaphorical Use of Colors

Colors are often used in metaphors and comparisons.

She turned red with anger.
He was feeling blue today.
The news made him go white with fear.

Common Idioms and Phrases with Colors

Once in a blue moon – Very rarely.
- I only see my cousin once in a blue moon.
Green with envy – Extremely jealous.
- She was green with envy when she saw my new phone.
Caught red-handed – Caught in the act of doing something wrong.
- The thief was caught red-handed.
In the black – Financially profitable.
- Our company is finally in the black.
In the red – Having financial problems.
- After bad sales, the store is in the red.
Black sheep – An outcast in a group or family.
- He is the black sheep of the family.

How to Describe Colors More Precisely

Apart from basic colors, descriptive words are often used to indicate shades or intensity:

Bright → bright red
Deep → deep blue
Pastel → pastel yellow
Neon → neon green
Muted → muted pink

Origins of Color Names

Many color names have interesting origins:

Orange comes from the name of the fruit.
Purple originates from the Latin word purpura, referring to a dye extracted from sea mollusks.
Indigo comes from the name of the Indian plant used to create blue dye.