Language Tip

Tips on how to talk about colour

general

shade one of the different types of a particular colour, especially when describing how dark or light it is: a deep shade of red ♦ subtle shades of blue and green
tone one of the different types of a particular colour: a delicate pink tone ♦ eye shadow in tones of green and brown
-ish used with colours to make adjectives describing things that looks a bit like that colour: reddish hair

dark colours

dark used for describing colours that look more like black than like white: dark green trousers ♦ I think the colour on the walls is far too dark.
deep used for describing dark colours, especially when they look attractive: lovely deep blue eyes
rich used for describing dark colours that look beautiful and expensive: rich brown velvet
sombre dark in a way that seems suitable for a serious occasion or use: The men were wearing sombre suits and black ties.

bright colours

bright strong and noticeable: bright yellow paint
vibrant bright in a way that looks exciting: curtains in vibrant shades of red
colourful brightly coloured, or having a lot of bright colours: wonderfully colourful saris
loud bright in a way that you think looks silly or ugly: He tends to wear silk shirts and loud ties.
gaudy very brightly coloured, especially in a way that you think shows bad taste: Look at those gaudy purple sunglasses!
garish very brightly coloured, especially in a way that you think does not look attractive: garish reds and bright yellows

pale colours

pale like white with a small amount of a colour mixed in: pale grey feathers
light pale rather than dark: Light colours work best in north-facing rooms. ♦ a light blue shirt
pastel pale in a soft and attractive way: used also as a noun referring to a pastel colour or something of such a colour: summer dresses in pastel shades ♦ She often wears pastels. ♦ pastel pink
faded used for describing something that is pale because it has been washed a lot or because it has been affected by light or the sun: faded blue jeans ♦ The paintwork was faded in places.