SKIP TO CONTENT

yellow

/ˈjɛloʊ/
/ˈjɛləʊ/
IPA guide

Other forms: yellows; yellowing; yellowed; yellower; yellowest; yellowly

Yellow is the color you'll see in a rainbow, right between orange and green. Yellow is the color of daffodils, lemons, and the traffic light that is supposed to make cars slow down.

The word yellow comes from a Proto-Indo-European root word that means "to shine." Sunflowers, egg yolks, and corn on the cob all share this bright color, and if you're asked to draw a picture of the sun, you're likely to grab a yellow crayon. The informal meaning of yellow, "cowardly," has been around since the 1850s, and may have originated in a Texas slur for Mexican soldiers, whose uniforms were yellow.

Definitions of yellow
  1. noun
    yellow color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of sunflowers or ripe lemons
    synonyms: yellowness
    see moresee less
    types:
    canary, canary yellow
    a light to moderate yellow with a greenish tint
    amber, gold
    a deep yellow color
    brownish yellow
    a yellow color of low lightness with a brownish tinge
    gamboge, lemon, lemon yellow, maize
    a strong yellow color
    old gold
    a dark yellow
    orange yellow, saffron
    a shade of yellow tinged with orange
    pale yellow, straw, wheat
    a variable yellow tint; dull yellow, often diluted with white
    greenish yellow
    a shade of yellow tinged with green
    ocher, ochre
    a moderate yellow-orange to orange color
  2. adjective
    of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
    synonyms: xanthous, yellowish
    chromatic
    being, having, or characterized by hue
  3. adjective
    affected by jaundice which causes yellowing of skin etc
    synonyms: icteric, jaundiced
    unhealthy
    not in or exhibiting good health in body or mind
  4. adjective
    changed to a yellowish color by age
    yellowed parchment”
    synonyms: yellowed
    old
    of long duration; not new
  5. verb
    turn yellow
    “The pages of the book began to yellow
    see moresee less
    type of:
    color, colour, discolor, discolour
    change color, often in an undesired manner
  6. adjective
    easily frightened
    cowardly, fearful
    lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted
  7. adjective
    cowardly or treacherous
    “"the little yellow stain of treason"-M.W.Straight”
    “too yellow to stand and fight”
    synonyms:
    dishonorable, dishonourable
    lacking honor or integrity; deserving dishonor
  8. adjective
    typical of tabloids
    yellow press”
    sensational
    causing intense interest, curiosity, or emotion
Pronunciation
US
/ˈjɛloʊ/
UK
/ˈjɛləʊ/
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘yellow'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of gold-punch.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family