WordValepigment
a substance that gives color to paint or dye
In more detail
1. (noun) a substance that gives color to something, such as paint, dye, or a material in skin and hair
2. (noun) a natural coloring matter in plant or animal cells that affects appearance
Examples
- 1. The artist mixed different pigments to create the exact shade of blue she wanted.
- 2. The pigment in your skin determines how much sun protection you naturally have.
How to use pigment
Pigment is a technical or scientific term for any substance that produces color, whether in natural biological contexts (melanin as a skin pigment) or in manufactured materials (pigments in paint). It is more precise than the colloquial dye or color, and is preferred in scientific, medical, and artistic discourse. The word emphasizes the material or chemical nature of coloring rather than the visual impression.
Common phrases
- natural pigment
- skin pigment
- pigment in the skin
- pigment production
- plant pigment
- lose pigment
Synonyms
dye · colorant · tint · hue · stain
Word family
pigmentation (noun) · pigmented (adjective) · pigmentary (adjective)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse pigment with pigmentation; pigment is the substance itself, while pigmentation refers to the process or the overall coloring pattern resulting from that substance.
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