Standard Lemma guide

colorism

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Prejudice or bias against persons on the basis of their skin color or complexion, often among persons of the same racial identification.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, uncountable, usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A style of painting characterised by the use of intense color.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

Qualifier: painting

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From color + -ism.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: colorisme — prejudice or bias against persons on the basis of their skin color or complexion, often among persons of the same racial identification
  • German: Kolorismus — prejudice or bias against persons on the basis of their skin color or complexion, often among persons of the same racial identification
  • Portuguese: colorismo — prejudice or bias against persons on the basis of their skin color or complexion, often among persons of the same racial identification
  • Russian: колори́зм (kolorízm) — prejudice or bias against persons on the basis of their skin color or complexion, often among persons of the same racial identification
  • Spanish: pigmentocracia — prejudice or bias against persons on the basis of their skin color or complexion, often among persons of the same racial identification
  • Spanish: colorismo — prejudice or bias against persons on the basis of their skin color or complexion, often among persons of the same racial identification
  • Tamil: நிறவெறி (niṟaveṟi) — prejudice or bias against persons on the basis of their skin color or complexion, often among persons of the same racial identification
  • Catalan: colorisme — a style of painting characterised by the use of intense color.
  • French: colorisme — a style of painting characterised by the use of intense color.
  • German: Kolorismus — a style of painting characterised by the use of intense color.
  • Spanish: colorismo — a style of painting characterised by the use of intense color.
  • Swedish: kolorism — a style of painting characterised by the use of intense color.