# yellowish

/ˈjɛɫoʊɪʃ/ (US) · /jˈɛləʊɪʃ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/yellowish
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

having a color that is slightly yellow or close to yellow. You use this to describe something that is not purely yellow but has a yellow tint.

For teachers: possessing a color that is somewhat yellow or tinged with yellow. The suffix '-ish' functions as a moderating morpheme, indicating a lower intensity or approximation of the base color.

## Examples

- The old pages of the book turned yellowish over time.
- The doctor noticed a yellowish tint in the patient's eyes, which suggested a potential issue with the liver.
- As the sun began to set, the entire landscape was bathed in a soft, yellowish light that made the autumn leaves appear even more vibrant against the darkening sky.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as a gradable adjective; often follows linking verbs like 'look', 'turn', or 'become'.

---

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.