Is It Color or Colour? | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
Color and colour are two ways of spelling the same noun, meaning “shade” or “hue.” It can also be used as a verb to mean “change something’s color” (e.g., by painting). The spelling depends on the version of English you use.
- In American English, “color” is correct.
- In British English, “colour” is standard.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
The plural noun form is colors or colours.
Words related to color or colour
The same spelling difference applies to the adjective colorful or colourful, the past tense/past participle verb (or adjective) colored or coloured, and the present participle or gerund coloring or colouring.
- In American English, “colorful,” “colored,” and “coloring” are correct.
- In British English, “colourful,” “coloured,” and “colouring” are standard.
Expressions with color or colour
Color or colour is used in many idioms. The spelling difference carries over to these too.
Expression | Meaning |
---|---|
Wake up, Adam! You’re viewing the world through rose-colored/coloured glasses. | Having a naively positive perspective on something |
I thought I failed the test, but I passed with flying colors/colours | Doing something exceptionally well |
I wish I had know your true colors/colours before I married you! | Seeing someone’s true character (normally with a negative connotation) |
Main differences between American and British English
American and British English are very similar, but there are a few main differences in spelling. Five important differences are:
Difference | Rule | Examples |
---|---|---|
-or vs -our | In American English, many Latin-derived words end in -or.
In British English, these same words end in -our. |
Behavior or behaviour Labor or labour Favor or favour Favorite or favourite Color or colour Honor or honour |
-er vs -re | In American English, some French, Latin, or Greek words end in -er.
In British English, these same words end in -re. |
Theater or theatre Center or centre Meter or metre Liter or litre Saber or sabre Fiber or fibre |
-ize vs -ise | In American English, many Greek-derived words end in -yze or -ize.
In British English, these words end in -yse or -ise. |
Realize or realise Recognize or recognise Analyze or analyse Organisation or organization Minimize or minimise Finalize or finalise |
-ed vs -t | In American English, most verbs are regular and form their past tense with the suffix -ed.
In British English, some of these verbs are irregular and form their past tense with the suffix -t. |
Learned or learnt Burned or burnt Kneeled or knelt Dreamed or dreamt Smelled or smelt Spelled or spelt |
Single vs double consonant | In American English, many words are spelled with a single consonant. In British English, these same words are spelled with a double consonant. |
Modeling or modelling Traveling or travelling Canceled or cancelled Labeled or labelled Buses or busses Focused or focussed |
Frequently asked questions about color or colour
- Is it color or colour in Australia?
-
Color and colour are two spellings of the same noun (which can also be used as a verb). The spelling depends on the type of English.
- In American English, you use “color.”
- In British English, you use “colour.”
Australian English mostly follows UK guidelines, so colour is standard.
The same difference applies to similar words, such as “behaviour or behavior,” “honor or honour,” “labor or labour,” “favorite or favourite,” “favor or favour,” and “humor or humour.”
It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
- Is it color or colour in Canada?
-
Color and colour are two spellings of the same noun (which can also be used as a verb). The spelling depends on the type of English.
- In American English, you use “color.”
- In British English, you use “colour.”
Canadian English mostly follows UK guidelines, so colour is standard.
The same difference applies to similar words, such as “behaviour or behavior,” “honor or honour,” “labor or labour,” “favorite or favourite,” “favor or favour,” and “humor or humour.”
It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.