Difference Between Colour and Color

Colour vs Color
 

Difference between colour and color does not lie in their meanings. Colour and Color are two words that are often confused when it comes to their spelling. In fact, the meaning of color and colour is exactly the same. The spelling for the American word color is colour in the United Kingdom. In other words, color is the American English spelling while colour is the British English spelling. This is the main difference between the two words. It can be said that the word color is used in the sense of ‘tint’ or ‘paint’ and the spelling is chiefly used in the United States of America. On the other hand, the word colour also means ‘tint’ or ‘paint’ and the spelling is used in the United Kingdom and a few other countries as well that have the influence of the British way of writing.

What does Color mean?

The word color means tint or paint. Take a look at the two sentences given below:

Francis likes the color of blue.

There are five colors in the flag.

In both the sentences, the word color is used in the sense of ‘tint.’ Hence, the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘Francis likes the tint of blue’, and the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘there are five tints in the flag’. It is important to know that the word color has its adjectival form in the word ‘colorful’ and the adverbial form in the word ‘colored’.

What does Colour mean?

On the other hand, the word colour also means tint or paint. Observe the two sentences:

The colour of her garment was black.

Angela wore a red-coloured dress.

In both the sentences, the word colour is used in the sense of ‘tint.’ Hence, the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘the tint of her garment was black’ and the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘Angela wore a red-tinted dress’. Apart from this, there is no difference between the two words. It is important to know that the word colour has its adjectival form in the word ‘colourful’ and the adverbial form in the word ‘coloured’.

Since colour is the accepted Amercian spelling, you will notice that whenever you type colour in MS Word, it will be underlined with a red line indicating that the word is wrong. This is because Microsoft is an American company. The default language in MS Word is American English. However, if you want, you can change that default language and carry on with British spelling or simply ignore what Word says.

What is the difference between Colour and Color?

• Color is the American English spelling while colour is the British English spelling.

• Both color and colour mean tint or paint.

• Adjective of colour is colourful; adjective of color is colorful.

• Adverb of colour is coloured; adverb of color is colored.

These are the differences between the words colour and color. Just look at what English is used in a context and use the word colour accordingly. Do not mix the two words in the same context.