dye

1 of 2

noun

ˈdī 

1

: color from dyeing

2

: a soluble or insoluble coloring matter

dye

2 of 2

verb

dyed; dyeing

transitive verb

1

: to impart a new and often permanent color to especially by impregnating with a dye

2

: to impart (a color) by dyeing

intransitive verb

: to take up or impart color in dyeing

dyeability

ˌdī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

dyeable

ˈdī-ə-bəl 

adjective

dyer

ˈdī(-ə)r 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• color
• colorant
• coloring
• dyestuff
• pigment
• stain

Verb

• bepaint [archaic]
• color
• paint
• pigment
• stain
• tincture
• tinge
• tint

Examples of dye in a Sentence

Noun

soaked the fabric in blue dye

Verb

She had been dyeing her hair for years.

The fabric is bleached, dyed, and then washed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This imaging technique involves the delivery of a fluorescent dye into your bladder using a urinary catheter. —Robert Burakoff, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2024

Rhodes described how a blue yarn dye in the warp gives a mixed dobby herringbone fabric an indigo effect with a suiting look and feel. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Aug. 2024

Verb

Recent photos of his girlfriend indicate that Swift has chosen to dye her blonde locks a darker shade of light brown. —Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 14 Aug. 2024

Apa, who is a natural brunette, had to dye his hair bright red to play the iconic Archie Comics character for over seven years. —Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 8 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English dehe, from Old English dēah, dēag

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing dye

• aniline dye
• azo dye
• piece-dye
• tie-and-dye
• tie-dye
• vat dye
• xanthene dye
• yarn-dye

Kids Definition

dye

1 of 2 noun

ˈdī 

1

: color produced by dyeing

2

: a material used for dyeing or staining

dye

2 of 2 verb

dyed; dyeing

: to stain or color usually permanently

dyer

ˈdī(-ə)r 

noun

Medical Definition

dye

1 of 2 noun

ˈdī 

1

: color from dyeing

2

: a soluble or insoluble coloring matter

dye

2 of 2 verb

dyed; dyeing

transitive verb

1

: to impart a new and often permanent color to especially by impregnating with a dye

2

: to impart (a color) by dyeing

dyeing blue on yellow

intransitive verb

: to take up or impart color in dyeing