tertiary color

noun

1
: a color produced by an equal mixture of a primary color with a secondary color adjacent to it on the color wheel
2
: a color produced by mixing two secondary colors

Examples of tertiary color in a Sentence

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 six tertiary colors because of the mixing of the three primary colors with three secondary colors, and they are located between primary and secondary colors on the color wheel. Kate Reggev, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2024 Secondary and tertiary colors can also be complementary, like blue-greens and red-purples. Kate Reggev, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2024 What are the primary, secondary, and tertiary colors on a color wheel? Kate Reggev, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2024 Pair with vibrant teals or calm navy for a colorful primary or tertiary color palette. Kaylei Fear, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Oct. 2023 The addition of a tertiary color (green) opened up some possibilities in terms of licensing. Joe Knowles, chicagotribune.com, 22 May 2018

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1864, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of tertiary color was circa 1864

Dictionary Entries Near tertiary color

Cite this Entry

“Tertiary color.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tertiary%20color. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

tertiary color

noun
: a color produced by mixing two secondary colors

More from Merriam-Webster on tertiary color

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!