What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
coloured
Example
She painted the walls of her room with brightly coloured stripes. [coloured: adjective]
Example
The artist used various coloured pencils to create a beautiful drawing. [coloured: past participle]
tinted
Example
She wore sunglasses with tinted lenses to protect her eyes from the sun. [tinted: adjective]
Example
The car windows were tinted to reduce the amount of sunlight entering the vehicle. [tinted: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Coloured is more commonly used than tinted in everyday language. Coloured is versatile and can be applied to a wide range of contexts, while tinted is more specific and commonly used in relation to glasses, windows, or films.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between coloured and tinted?
Both coloured and tinted can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, coloured may have a slightly more casual or artistic tone, while tinted can have a more technical or practical connotation.