# sepia

/ˈsipiə/ (US) · /sˈiːpiɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sepia
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

a dark brown color that looks like the ink of a squid. It is often used to describe old photographs that have turned brown over time.

For teachers: a dark brown pigment or color, originally derived from the ink of the cuttlefish. Often used to describe the tonal quality of aged photographic prints or the specific hue of the pigment itself.

## Examples

- The old photograph had a beautiful sepia tone.
- The artist used sepia to create a warm, vintage effect on the portrait of the elderly gentleman.
- While digital restoration can return a photograph to its original color, many collectors still prefer the soft, nostalgic quality of a sepia-toned image from the late nineteenth century.

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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.