# cyan

/saɪˈæn/ (US) · /saɪˈæn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cyan
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the colour

noun · CEFR B2

a bright colour that is a mix of blue and green.

For teachers: a greenish-blue colour, specifically one of the four primary colours in the CMYK printing process.

- The printer is out of cyan ink, so the photos look too red.
- The graphic designer adjusted the levels of cyan and magenta to achieve the precise shade of purple required for the brand's logo.

### 2. describing a colour

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

having a bright blue-green colour.

For teachers: of a colour between blue and green; typically used in technical contexts involving light or ink.

- The tropical water was a beautiful cyan colour under the bright sun.
- The monitor displayed a sharp cyan glow, indicating that the system was operating within the correct temperature parameters.

## Examples

- The designer chose a bright cyan for the background.
- In the four-color printing process, cyan is one of the primary colors used to create a wide range of blues and greens.
- The deep cyan of the ocean at midday creates a striking contrast with the white sand of the coral reef, a phenomenon often captured in high-resolution underwater photography.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.