What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
colour
Example
The flowers in the garden were bursting with vibrant colours. [colour: noun]
Example
She painted the walls of her room in a beautiful shade of blue. [colour: verb]
coloration
Example
The bird's bright coloration helped it blend into its tropical surroundings. [coloration: noun]
Example
The artist used different techniques to create a unique coloration in the painting. [coloration: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Colour is more commonly used than coloration in everyday language, especially in British English. Colour is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while coloration is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between colour and coloration?
While colour is generally considered more informal and casual, coloration can be used in both formal and scientific contexts, making it more versatile in terms of formality.
