umber

1 of 3

noun

um·​ber ˈəm-bər 

1

a

: a moderate to dark yellowish brown

b

: a moderate brown

2

: a brown earth that is darker in color than ocher and sienna because of its content of manganese and iron oxides and is highly valued as a permanent pigment either in the raw or burnt state

umber

2 of 3

adjective

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of umber

specifically : of the color of umber

umber

3 of 3

verb

umbered; umbering ˈəm-b(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

: to darken with or as if with umber

Did you know?

The mineral deposits of Italy provided sources of a number of natural pigments, among them umber. Since the late Renaissance, umber has been in great demand as a coloring agent. When crushed and mixed with paint, it produces an olive color known as raw umber; when crushed and burnt, it produces a darker tone known as burnt umber.

Examples of umber in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Layered hues from green through shades of golden ocher down to umber—in classic tempera painting, this would be exactly the understructure for (white) skin tones. —Moritz Scheper, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2024

Brown is poised for popularity this fall after labels like Saint Laurent, Miu Miu and Ralph Lauren sent shades of umber down the runway. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 11 July 2024

Adjective

The black is classic, but the umber shade is another great go-to for everything from a day of shoe shopping to a glamorous rooftop spritz at sunset. —Neha Tandon, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2024

Grab them in this tan shade or opt for the umber hue to best match your wild, wild wardrobe. —Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 9 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably from obsolete English, shade, color, from Middle English ombre, umbre shade, shadow, from Anglo-French, from Latin umbra — more at umbrage

First Known Use

Noun

1568, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1802, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1610, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

umber

noun

um·​ber

ˈəm-bər

1

: an artist's pigment that is either greenish brown or reddish brown

2

: a medium to dark brown or yellowish brown

umber adjective