colorant

[kuhl-er-uhnt]

noun

1. something used as a coloring matter; pigment; dye.

colorant

/ ˈkʌlərənt /

noun

1. any substance that imparts colour, such as a pigment, dye, or ink; colouring matter

Word History and Origins

Origin of colorant¹

1880–85; < French, present participle of colorer < Latin colōrāre to color. See color, -ant

Example Sentences

It joins galdieria extract blue, a blue colorant made from a unicellular species of red algae called Galdieria sulphuraria; calcium phosphate, a white powder; and butterfly pea flower extract, a blue color that can be used to create various shades of blues, purples and greens.

From Salon

Butterfly pea flower extract is derived from a clitoria ternatea plant, often used as a natural food colorant, according to the NIH.

From Los Angeles Times

The latest initiative comes more than three decades after the colorant was barred from cosmetics and non-oral medications due to potentially causing cancer.

From Salon

The ultra-thin colorant is around two microns thick, and although less reflective, it's visibly blue and reflects UV well, possibly paving the way for new colorant methods.

From Science Daily

"It shows that nature has evolved to use a really neat trick, an ultrathin layer for an important colorant," added Rox.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• glow 
• hue 
• intensity 
• paint