local color

noun

: the presentation of the features and peculiarities of a particular locality and its inhabitants in writing

Examples of local color in a Sentence

a writer who uses local color in his stories
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There are boys, men, grandparents, and local color, but Lorelei and Rory Gilmore are the twin suns of this solar system—and their love, humor, and rat-a-tat dialogue delight. John Ortved, Vogue, 29 June 2024 The local color varies, but the overarching themes remain the same. Yascha Mounk, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2014 In recent days, the Globe contacted Lynn, Ray Bourque, and Drew Bledsoe, all of whom played elsewhere after here, and all remembered first and foremost for their days wearing local colors. Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2023 Even the Puritanism often cited as a shaping force was more local color than foundational beam: few thinkers had more influence in the colonies than the Londoner John Wilkes, who was as notorious as a libertine as he was known as an enemy of privilege. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2022 See all Example Sentences for local color 

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of local color was in 1829

Dictionary Entries Near local color

Cite this Entry

“Local color.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/local%20color. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

local color

noun
: the presentation in a story or play of the peculiarities of a particular place and the people who live there
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