primary color

noun

Synonyms of primary colornext
: any of a set of colors from which all other colors may be derived

Examples of primary 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.
While purple has come to represent Swift’s Speak Now era, during that London outing, Swift wore a lilac purple dress with flowers, which fans are convinced foreshadows the primary color and aesthetics of the singer’s 13th LP. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2026 Just off the former is a small balcony outlined in red, a nod to the primary colors used in Le Corbusier’s work. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026 Georgia's uniform traditionally emphasizes its primary colors, red and black, with silver trim. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 Pops of Primaries There isn’t a room in Hilderbrand’s home that doesn’t feature a collection of bold hues, namely primary colors. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for primary color

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of primary color was in 1817

Rhymes for primary color

See All Rhymes for primary color

Browse Nearby Words

primary circle
primary color
primary commercial blanket bond
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Primary color.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primary%20color. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

primary color

noun
: any of a set of colors from which all other colors may be made with the colors for light being red, green, and blue and for pigments or paint being red, yellow, and blue

Medical Definition

primary color

noun
: any of a set of colors (as red, yellow, and blue or red, green, and blue) from which all other colors may be derived

More from Merriam-Webster on primary color

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for primary 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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All