dye

[ dahy ]

noun

1. a coloring material or matter.
2. a liquid containing coloring matter, for imparting a particular hue to cloth, paper, etc.
3. color or hue, especially as produced by dyeing.

verb (used with object)

, dyed, dye·ing.

1. to color or stain; treat with a dye; color (cloth, hair, etc.) with a substance containing coloring matter:

   to dye a dress green.

2. to impart (color) by means of a dye:

   The coloring matter dyed green.

verb (used without object)

, dyed, dye·ing.

1. to impart color, as a dye:

   This brand dyes well.

2. to become colored or absorb color when treated with a dye:

   This cloth dyes easily.

dye

/ daɪ /

noun

1. a staining or colouring substance, such as a natural or synthetic pigment
2. a liquid that contains a colouring material and can be used to stain fabrics, skins, etc
3. the colour or shade produced by dyeing

verb

1. tr to impart a colour or stain to (something, such as fabric or hair) by or as if by the application of a dye

Derived Forms

• ˈdyer, noun
• ˈdyable, adjective

Other Words From

• dya·ble dyea·ble adjective
• dyer noun
• re·dye verb (used with object) redyed redying
• un·dya·ble adjective
• un·dyed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dye¹

before 1000; Middle English dien, Old English dēagian, derivative of dēag a dye

Word History and Origins

Origin of dye¹

Old English dēagian, from dēag a dye; related to Old High German tugōn to change, Lettish dūkans dark

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. of the deepest / blackest dye, of the most extreme or the worst sort:

   a prevaricator of the blackest dye.

Example Sentences

Forward-thinking tailoring and experimental dye techniques shine in this indigo-dyed Japanese denim jacket from the Fall/Winter ’24 collection, a collaboration with local designer Lyle McGraw.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of those substances, including red dye No. 3, will become illegal in California in 2027 under a law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom last year.

From Los Angeles Times

According to legend, Tyre is the place where purple pigment was first created - the dye crushed out of snail shells to embroider royal robes.

From BBC

“Traditionally in dyeing fabric, you're steeping the fabric in water at 135 degrees celsius for up to four hours or so – gallons and tons of water. For example, to dye one ton of polyester, you're generating 30 tons of toxic wastewater,” Alchemie founder Dr Alan Hudd tells me.

From BBC

In a small corner of rural Taiwan, set amongst other dye houses and small factories, the start-up Alchemie Technology is in the final phase of rolling out a project it claims will upend the global apparel industry and slash its carbon footprint.

From BBC

Related Words

• pigment
• stain
• tint