Word
pigment
Phoneticspig·ment, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɪɡmənt/
UK/pˈɪɡmənt/
Definitions
01biological color
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Science Technical
n. a natural substance that gives color to plants, animals, and humans.
n. a natural coloring matter found in the cells and tissues of plants or animals.
“Chlorophyll is the green pigment that helps plants turn sunlight into food.”
“Melanin is the primary pigment responsible for the varying shades of human skin, hair, and eye color across different populations.”
Synonyms
02paint/ink powder
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a dry powder that is mixed with liquid to make paint, ink, or makeup.
n. a dry, insoluble coloring substance, usually in powder form, which is suspended in a liquid vehicle to create paint or ink.
Español:pigmento
“The artist mixed the blue pigment with oil to create a rich, deep color.”
“Historically, rare pigments like ultramarine were more expensive than gold because they had to be ground from semi-precious stones.”
03to add color
C1 · Advanced Technical
v. to add color to something using a pigment.
v. to color or dye a substance or surface by the application of pigment.
Español:pigmentar
“The manufacturer uses natural extracts to pigment the plastic toys.”
“Specialized cells in the skin work to pigment the tissue in response to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation.”
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“They discovered that its famous golden shine comes from tiny protein structures that reflect light rather than from pigments or dyes.” “Not only must they match colors under both visible and UV light, but the pigments will also change subtly over time.” Etymology
From Middle English pigment, from Latin pigmentum (“pigment”), itself from pingō (“to paint”) + -mentum; variants of this word may have been known in Old English (e.g. 12th century pyhmentum). Doublet of pimiento, pimento, and piment.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Domain
- 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
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/pigment
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0