How Do You Spell COLOURS?

Pronunciation: [kˈʌləz] (IPA)

The word "colours" is commonly spelled with a "u" in British English, whereas American English spells it as "colors" without the "u." The IPA phonetic transcription of "colours" is /ˈkʌlərz/, with stress on the first syllable. The "u" in British spelling represents the sound /ʌ/, which is similar to the "uh" sound in "under." The absence of the "u" in American spelling may be due to the simplification of the word's spelling, resulting in a closer approximation of its pronunciation.

COLOURS Meaning and Definition

  1. Colours, also spelled "colors," refer to visual perceptions or sensations produced by light as it interacts with the human eye. As a concept, colours are widely considered to be subjective and highly influenced by cultural, psychological, and personal factors. They are an essential component of human perception and play a significant role in various aspects of life, including art, design, fashion, and communication.

    Colours are typically categorized into primary colours (red, blue, and yellow) and secondary colours (formed by mixing two primary colours, such as orange, green, and purple). Together, these colours make up the colour spectrum, which encompasses all visible hues. Additionally, colours can be described in terms of their characteristics, such as hue (the specific shade), intensity (brightness or richness), and value (lightness or darkness).

    Colours evoke emotions, convey meanings, and have symbolic associations, leading to their use in symbolism and cultural references. For example, red is often associated with passion or danger, while blue can symbolize tranquility or sadness. Colour psychology investigates the impact of different colours on human behavior and emotions.

    In art and design, the use of colours is essential for creating visual appeal, conveying messages, and establishing mood or atmosphere. Understanding the principles of colour theory, such as complementary or analogous colour schemes, is crucial for achieving effective compositions.

    Overall, colours are a fundamental aspect of human perception, art, and culture, enriching our experiences and enabling us to interpret and interact with the world around us.

Top Common Misspellings for COLOURS *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for COLOURS

Etymology of COLOURS

The word colours originated from the Latin word color, which means color, pigment, hue. It also has roots in the Old French word color, which was derived from the Latin term. In Middle English, it was spelled as colur before evolving into its current spelling of colour.

Idioms with the word COLOURS

  • see sb's true colours The idiom "see someone's true colors" means to witness or discover one's real character or intentions. It refers to the revealing of a person's true nature or behavior, often when they are in a challenging or revealing situation.
  • nail your colours to the mast The idiom "nail your colours to the mast" means to openly and firmly declare or show one's beliefs, opinions, or allegiances, especially in the face of opposition or criticism. It originates from the practice of ships hoisting their flags, or "colours," on the mast to proudly display their identity and intentions. By nailing the colours to the mast, a person shows their unwavering commitment and willingness to stand up for what they believe in, regardless of any challenges or potential consequences.
  • sail under false colours The idiom "sail under false colours" means to deceive or misrepresent oneself, typically by pretending to be someone or something else. It originates from naval warfare, where ships would fly flags of different countries or factions to trick their enemies and approach undetected. Similarly, when someone sails under false colours, they appear to be one thing or have a different intention than their true identity or purpose.
  • show in true colours The idiom "show in true colors" means to reveal one's true nature, intentions, or character, typically after previously concealing or pretending to be something different. It implies that the person or thing being observed is no longer hiding their true self and their true nature is being displayed or exposed.
  • your true colours The idiom "your true colors" refers to someone revealing their real personality, character, or intentions, especially when they act differently than they have previously presented themselves. It implies that someone's true nature or motives are exposed, often surprising or disappointing others.
  • (one's) true colours The idiom "(one's) true colours" refers to a person's real or underlying character traits, beliefs, attitudes, or intentions being revealed or exposed. It implies that someone's true nature, which might have been concealed or disguised, becomes apparent or evident in a particular situation or over time.
  • be sailing under false colours The idiom "be sailing under false colours" means to pretend to be someone or something that one is not, or to deceive others about one's true intentions or identity. It originates from naval warfare, where ships would fly flags or colours that falsely indicated their nationality or allegiance in order to gain an advantage over their enemies.
  • nail (one's) colours to the mast The idiom "nail (one's) colours to the mast" means to firmly and publicly declare one's beliefs, loyalties, or intentions, regardless of potential consequences or opposition. It originates from the nautical practice of raising a ship's flag, or colours, on the mast to signify the ship's nationality or affiliation. By nailing the flag to the mast, a captain would demonstrate unwavering commitment and readiness for battle. Similarly, the phrase implies boldly and resolutely standing up for one's principles or ideals.
  • show (one's) (true) colours The idiom "show (one's) (true) colours" means to reveal one's true personality, intentions, or beliefs, especially when they are different or unexpected from what was previously shown or implied. It refers to a person's ability to display their genuine character or motives, often in a revealing or surprising manner.
  • show your colours The idiom "show your colours" typically means to express or reveal one's true character, beliefs, intentions, or allegiances, especially in a situation where they have been previously concealed or unknown. It is often used when someone openly displays their opinions, values, or affiliations, often during a time of challenge or confrontation.
  • show your true colours The idiom "show your true colours" means to reveal one's real character, intentions, or beliefs, often after hiding or pretending otherwise. It refers to a person expressing their true nature or revealing their true self, especially when it contrasts with their initial appearance or behavior.
  • your, his, etc. true colours The idiom "your, his, etc. true colours" refers to a person's real or authentic nature or character, which may differ from the impression they initially give. It means seeing someone's genuine personality, intentions, or behavior that they may have been hiding or disguising.
  • pass (something) with flying colours The idiom "pass (something) with flying colours" means to successfully complete or achieve something with a very high level of success or excellence.
  • come through with flying colours The idiom "come through with flying colours" means to successfully complete a task or achieve success with exceptional results. It implies accomplishing something with great distinction or excellence, often surpassing expectations or standards.
  • show sb in their true colours The idiom "show someone in their true colors" means to reveal someone's true nature, character, or intentions, often when they are behaving in a negative or deceptive way. It implies uncovering someone's real personality or motives that were previously concealed or unknown.
  • with flying colours The idiom "with flying colours" means to succeed or excel in a test, task, or endeavor with great distinction or impressive results.
  • come through/pass with flying colours The idiom "come through/pass with flying colours" means to succeed or perform exceptionally well in a task, examination, or challenge. It implies surpassing expectations and accomplishing the objective with great success.
  • nail colours to the mast
  • in glowing terms/colours To describe something in a very positive and enthusiastic way, usually with high praise and admiration.

Similar spelling words for COLOURS

Conjugate verb Colours

CONDITIONAL

I would colour
we would colour
you would colour
he/she/it would colour
they would colour

FUTURE

I will colour
we will colour
you will colour
he/she/it will colour
they will colour

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have coloured
we will have coloured
you will have coloured
he/she/it will have coloured
they will have coloured

PAST

I coloured
we coloured
you coloured
he/she/it coloured
they coloured

PAST PERFECT

I had coloured
we had coloured
you had coloured
he/she/it had coloured
they had coloured

PRESENT

I colour
we colour
you colour
he/she/it colours
they colour

PRESENT PERFECT

I have coloured
we have coloured
you have coloured
he/she/it has coloured
they have coloured
I am colouring
we are colouring
you are colouring
he/she/it is colouring
they are colouring
I was colouring
we were colouring
you were colouring
he/she/it was colouring
they were colouring
I will be colouring
we will be colouring
you will be colouring
he/she/it will be colouring
they will be colouring
I have been colouring
we have been colouring
you have been colouring
he/she/it has been colouring
they have been colouring
I had been colouring
we had been colouring
you had been colouring
he/she/it had been colouring
they had been colouring
I will have been colouring
we will have been colouring
you will have been colouring
he/she/it will have been colouring
they will have been colouring
I would have coloured
we would have coloured
you would have coloured
he/she/it would have coloured
they would have coloured
I would be colouring
we would be colouring
you would be colouring
he/she/it would be colouring
they would be colouring
I would have been colouring
we would have been colouring
you would have been colouring
he/she/it would have been colouring
they would have been colouring

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