colorless
UK: ˈkʌlələs | US: ˈkʌlərləs
adj. lacking color; dull or pale in hue
adj. (figuratively) lacking vividness, originality, or distinctiveness
colorless = color<hue, pigment> + less<without>
- color: From Latin color (hue, tint), retained in English with the same spelling and meaning.
- less: An Old English suffix -lēas (meaning "without"), used to form adjectives indicating absence.
Etymology Origin:
The word colorless combines the Latin-derived color with the Old English suffix -less, creating a straightforward compound meaning "without color." This hybrid structure reflects English's tendency to blend Latin and Germanic elements. The suffix -less is highly productive in English, often attached to nouns to negate their quality (e.g., fearless, hopeless).
The colorless sky before dawn made the landscape seem lifeless.
Her colorless dress blended into the gray walls of the room.
The report was criticized for its colorless prose and lack of creativity.
The chemist synthesized a colorless liquid that reacted violently with water.
His colorless personality made it hard for him to stand out in social situations.