colorant

noun

col·or·ant ˈkə-lə-rənt

-lər-ənt

Synonyms of colorant

: a substance used for coloring a material : dye, pigment

Examples of colorant in a Sentence

in ancient times, a mollusk was used to produce a rich purple colorant for clothing and linens

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

It is used to make liquid shellac, a brush-on colorant and wood finish, and is found in shampoos, aluminum foil and lipstick. — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026 The dye free version skips the yellow colorant for a shorter ingredient list and a cleaner look. — Jamie Thilman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026 There was a push to use American dyes and colorants to stave off a deep economic recession—there wasn’t really any other choice—but the cold commercial reality dumped water all over that flag-waving parade. — Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026 But the replacements are still made of complex materials that include additives like colorants; the chemicals can react in ways the companies may not intend or understand, Boucher says. — Matt Fuchs, Time, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for colorant

Word History

Etymology

color entry 2 + -ant entry 1

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of colorant was in 1800

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Colorant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colorant. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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colorant

noun

Synonyms of colorant

Examples of colorant in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

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