polychromatic

[ pol-ee-kroh-mat-ik, -kruh- ]

adjective

1. having or exhibiting a variety of colors.

polychromatic

/ ˌpɒlɪkrəʊˈmætɪk; ˌpɒlɪˈkrəʊməˌtɪzəm; ˌpɒlɪˈkrəʊmɪk /

adjective

1. having various or changing colours
2. (of light or other electromagnetic radiation) containing radiation with more than one wavelength

polychromatic

/ pŏl′ē-krō-măt′ĭk /

1. Consisting of or related to radiation of more than one wavelength.
2. Of or having many colors.
3. Compare monochromatic

Derived Forms

• polychromatism, noun

Other Words From

• pol·y·chro·ma·tism [pol-ee-, kroh, -m, uh, -tiz-, uh, m], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of polychromatic¹

First recorded in 1840–50; poly- + chromatic

Example Sentences

Eyelash vipers are also famous for another feature: they are polychromatic.

From Science Daily

Eyelash vipers are famously polychromatic, which means their appearances can vary widely, even among snakes born in the same litter.

From National Geographic

"Many snails are polychromatic -- within the same species, you get different colors," says Bieler.

From Science Daily

Abdiel’s is more fluid, polychromatic, drawing from other dance wells, a different set of accumulated experience.

From Seattle Times

Roger cites, for example, how the purported whiteness of Greek and Roman relics, despite evidence of their original polychromatic state, became an ideal echoed in neo-Classical art.

From New York Times