Word
greenish
Phoneticsgreen·ish, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɡɹinɪʃ/
UK/ɡɹˈiːnɪʃ/
Definition
adj. slightly green in color. You use this when something is not perfectly green but looks like it might be.
adj. having a slight green tint or being somewhat green in hue. Formed by the suffix '-ish', which indicates a moderate or approximate quality.
Examples
“The old copper roof has a greenish color.”
“After several days in the sun, the clear pool water began to take on a greenish tint due to algae growth.”
“The artist blended a small amount of yellow into the blue paint to create a greenish wash that perfectly captured the murky depths of the lake at twilight.”
Examples
simple
“The old copper roof has a greenish color.”
contextual
“After several days in the sun, the clear pool water began to take on a greenish tint due to algae growth.”
complex
“The artist blended a small amount of yellow into the blue paint to create a greenish wash that perfectly captured the murky depths of the lake at twilight.”
Usage
Typically used as a gradable adjective; often precedes the noun it modifies or follows a linking verb like 'look' or 'turn'.
Etymology
From Middle English grenyssh, grenysch, equivalent to green + -ish.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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