Coloured vs. Colored — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 7, 2024
Coloured is the British English spelling, indicating something with color, while Colored is its American counterpart.
Difference Between Coloured and Colored
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Coloured, in British English, conveys the presence or addition of color to an object, reflecting the linguistic tradition that includes the letter 'u' in certain words. On the other hand, Colored, used in American English, follows the spelling convention of omitting the 'u', emphasizing a streamlined approach to language.
While Coloured is commonly found in writings and publications from the UK, Australia, and other countries following British English norms, Colored appears in American books, media, and educational materials, showcasing the differences in English spelling standards across the globe.
The choice between Coloured and Colored can also highlight the intended audience or the author's background, with Coloured often suggesting a connection to British English cultures, whereas Colored might be perceived as distinctly American.
In addition to spelling differences, both terms have historical and social contexts, particularly in relation to racial identity. In South Africa, for example, Coloured has a specific ethnic connotation, referring to individuals of mixed race. This usage is distinct from the broader and more generic meaning of both Coloured and Colored in referring to things that have color.
Despite their differences, it's crucial to understand that both Coloured and Colored essentially describe the same concept: the attribute of having color or being of a specific color. This commonality underscores the importance of context in determining the appropriate usage of each term.
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Comparison Chart
Spelling
British English, includes 'u'
American English, excludes 'u'
Usage
Preferred in the UK and Commonwealth countries
Preferred in the United States
Publications
Found in British literature and official documents
Appears in American media and academic texts
Cultural Identity
Suggests a connection to British English cultures
Indicates an American linguistic preference
Social Context
Can refer to things with color; specific ethnic connotation in South Africa
Used to describe things with color; historical racial connotations in the US
Compare with Definitions
Coloured
Marked by a variety of colors.
She prefers coloured lights for festive decorations.
Colored
Influenced or biased by personal feelings.
His perspective was colored by his upbringing.
Coloured
Having color; not black or white.
The coloured illustrations brought the book to life.
Colored
Of mixed racial descent (historical context in the US).
The term colored was once a common racial descriptor in America.
Coloured
Of mixed racial descent (specific to South African context).
Coloured communities have a rich cultural heritage in South Africa.
Colored
Dyed or tinted.
She loved wearing colored contact lenses for special occasions.
Coloured
Influenced or biased by personal feelings.
His judgement was coloured by his past experiences.
Colored
Having color; not black or white.
The colored markers were popular among the children.
Coloured
Dyed or tinted.
She experimented with coloured hair for the summer.
Colored
Marked by a variety of colors.
The garden was filled with colored blooms.
Coloured
Having a colour or colours, especially as opposed to being black, white, or neutral
Brightly coloured birds are easier to see
Strings of coloured lights
A peach-coloured sofa
Colored
Colored or coloured, is an ethnic descriptor historically used in the United States (predominantly during the Jim Crow era) and other European-settled countries and their former colonies. In many of these places, it is now considered an ethnic slur, though has taken on a special meaning in Southern Africa.
Coloured
Wholly or partly of non-white descent.
Colored
Having color
Colored tissue paper.
Coloured
Used as an ethnic label for people of mixed ethnic origin, including Khoisan, African, Malay, Chinese, and white
There was a drive to recruit coloured, black, and Indian members
Colored
Of or belonging to a racial group not categorized as white.
Coloured
A person who is wholly or partly of non-white descent.
Colored
Black or African American.
Coloured
A person of mixed descent usually speaking Afrikaans or English as their mother tongue
The ANC was not making much progress among Indians or mixed-race Coloureds
Colored
Of mixed racial descent.
Coloured
Clothes, sheets, etc. that are any colour but white
She wouldn't mix her whites with her coloureds on wash day
Colored
Often Coloured South African Of or belonging to a population grouping made up of persons of mixed racial descent or of certain other nonwhite descent, especially as distinguished during apartheid from blacks, Asians, or whites.
Coloured
See colored.
Colored
Distorted or biased, as by irrelevant or incorrect information.
Coloured
(British spelling) colored
Colored
A person belonging to a racial group not categorized as white.
Coloured
(British spelling) colored
Colored
A black person, especially an African American.
Coloured
(British spelling) colour
Colored
A person of mixed racial descent.
Coloured
Same as colored.
Colored
Often Coloured South African A person belonging to the Coloured population grouping, especially during apartheid.
Coloured
Having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination;
Colored crepe paper
The film was in color
Amber-colored heads of grain
Colored
Coloreds Pieces of laundry that are not light in color.
Coloured
Favoring one person or side over another;
A biased account of the trial
A decision that was partial to the defendant
Colored
(American spelling) Having a color.
Wash colored items separately from whites and darks to prevent the colors from bleeding.
Coloured
(used of color) artificially produced; not natural;
A bleached blonde
Colored
Having a particular color or kind of color.
The room was red, with a dark-colored rug.
Coloured
Having skin rich in melanin pigments;
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The dark races
Dark-skinned peoples
Colored
Having prominent colors; colorful.
The singer wore a colored shirt.
Colored
Biased; pervasively (but potentially subtly) influenced in a particular way.
Colored
Of skin color other than white; in particular, black.
Colored
Belonging to a multiracial ethnic group or category, having ancestry from more than one of the racial groups of southern Africa (black, white, and Asian). Cape Coloureds]].
Most of the colored community speaks Afrikaans, whereas languages like Xhosa or Venda are typically spoken by blacks and English is spoken mostly by whites.
Colored
Designated for use by colored people in either the US or South African sense.
A colored drinking fountain
A colored hospital
Colored
A colored (nonwhite) person.
Colored
(South Africa) A colored person; a person descended from more than one of the racial groups of Southern Africa (black white, Asian, Austronesian).
Colored
(laundry) A colored article of clothing.
Colored
(American spelling) color
Colored
Having color; tinged; dyed; painted; stained.
The lime rod, colored as the glede.
The colored rainbow arched wide.
Colored
Specious; plausible; adorned so as to appear well; as, a highly colored description.
His colored crime with craft to cloke.
Colored
Of some other color than black or white.
Colored
Of some other color than green.
Colored, meaning, as applied to foliage, of some other color than green.
Colored
A United States term for Blacks that is now considered offensive
Colored
Having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination;
Colored crepe paper
The film was in color
Amber-colored heads of grain
Colored
Having skin rich in melanin pigments;
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The dark races
Dark-skinned peoples
Colored
Favoring one person or side over another;
A biased account of the trial
A decision that was partial to the defendant
Colored
(used of color) artificially produced; not natural;
A bleached blonde
Common Curiosities
Why does American English use "colored" instead of "coloured"?
American English often simplifies spellings, hence "colored" omits the "u".
Does the term "coloured" have special meanings in certain contexts?
Yes, in South Africa, "Coloured" specifically refers to people of mixed racial descent.
What distinguishes coloured from colored?
The primary difference is in spelling: "coloured" follows British English, while "colored" is American English.
Are there any contexts where using "coloured" or "colored" might be inappropriate?
Yes, when referring to people, sensitivity to historical and racial connotations is important.
Is the usage of "coloured" in describing people acceptable?
It depends on the region and context. In some areas, it can be considered outdated or offensive.
How does the meaning of "coloured" and "colored" change in art contexts?
In art, they simply refer to the presence of color, without the complex racial or social connotations.
How do publishers decide whether to use "coloured" or "colored"?
The decision usually aligns with the primary audience's language standard and the publication's style guide.
Is "coloured" more commonly used in any specific industries or areas?
"Coloured" is often used in industries and publications in countries following British English norms.
What historical connotations does "colored" carry in the United States?
"Colored" has historical connotations related to segregation and the Civil Rights Movement.
Can coloured and colored be used interchangeably?
Yes, they can be, depending on the audience's language standard.
Can "coloured" refer to anything besides visual color?
Yes, it can metaphorically describe something influenced by personal feelings or biases.
Are "coloured" and "colored" used in digital media and technology?
Yes, they're used to describe visuals, interfaces, and design elements in technology and digital media.
Do "coloured" and "colored" have the same pronunciation?
Yes, their pronunciation is essentially the same, with regional accents possibly affecting them slightly.
Has the preference for "coloured" or "colored" changed over time?
Yes, language evolves, and the preferred terms can change based on cultural shifts and the push for respectful language.
Is one spelling more correct than the other?
Neither spelling is more correct universally; it depends on the language standard being applied.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
