Color Or Colour – British vs. American English

“Color” or “colour”

In the English language, “color” and “colour” both function as nouns, referring to the shade or hue of something, and verbs, referring to the act of changing the shade or hue of something. The verb is also employed figuratively to denote the act of enhancing or expressing something.

As you can see above, there are two ways to correctly write the term, which differ by only one letter. The use depends on the type of English you are referring to. In this situation, it is essential to maintain consistency in your choice of English. Both spellings are considered correct, but “colour” is the predominant choice in the UK, while “color” is the commonly preferred spelling in the US.

Examples of using “color” and “colour”

The following examples will shed light on the different spellings of “color/colour” used in sentences in British English vs. American English.

“Color” or “colour” as a verb

The verb form “to color/colour” refers to the action of adding pigments or hues to something to change its appearance or make it more colorful. It’s used when you want to describe the act of applying “color/colour”. Here’s how you can use it in sentences:

“Color” or “colour” as a noun

The choice between “color” and “colour” as a noun should align with the conventions of the variety of English you are using or the preferences of your intended audience.

“Color” or “colour” in the “-ing” form

When used to indicate an ongoing action, both terms “colouring” and “coloring” in the “-ing” form function as present participles. In these sentences, “coloring/colouring” functions as a present participle, indicating that the process of coloring is happening at the described time.