Word
dye
US/ˈdaɪ/
UK/dˈaɪ/
Definitions
01coloring substance
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a liquid or powder used to change the color of materials like cloth or hair.
n. a natural or synthetic substance used to add color to or change the color of something, typically by being absorbed into the material.
“The artisan used a natural indigo dye to color the cotton fabric.”
“Synthetic dyes revolutionized the textile industry in the nineteenth century, providing a wider range of vibrant colors than traditional organic sources could offer.”
Pitfall
She used a blue die for her shirt.
She used a blue dye for her shirt.
Use 'dye' for coloring; 'die' refers to death or a small cube used in games.
Antonyms
02to change color
B1 · Intermediate
v. to change the color of something by soaking it in a special liquid.
v. to impart a new color to a substance, especially by soaking it in a coloring solution.
“She decided to dye her hair bright red for the summer.”
“The manufacturer dyes the leather before it is cut into patterns to ensure the color penetrates the material evenly.”
03a color or hue
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Literary
n. a particular color or shade.
n. a particular hue or color, often used in a literary context to describe a deep or lasting shade.
“The sunset painted the clouds with a deep crimson dye.”
“The poet described the autumn leaves as being of a golden dye, capturing the fleeting beauty of the changing season.”
Real-World Examples
“It’s different for women, who dye their hair, as chances are they will also wear makeup.”
Madonna.” “A plastic bag she had been using to dye her hair when they had left for the beach was still on her head.” Etymology
From Middle English deye, from Old English dēah, dēag (“color, hue, dye”), from Proto-West Germanic daugu (“colour, shade”), from daugan (“to conceal, be dark”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰewh₂- (“to smoke, raise dust, camouflage”). Cognates Cognate with Old High German tougan (“dark, secretive”), tougal (“dark, hidden, covert”), Old English dēagol, dīegle (“dark, hidden, secret”), Old English dohs, dox (“dusky, dark”). See dusk.
Fom Middle English deien, from Old English dēagian, from the noun.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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