Orchid and Amber: Color Names Not Taught in School
Most young school students learn the names of common colors such as red, blue and green. These colors are great for describing many things and for giving a basic idea of many more.
Of course, there are many more colors than just these basics. This article will introduce names for colors that most people never learned in school. We will also list some common color-related idioms to help make your English conversations more lively and descriptive.
Basic color terms
Before we get to individual color names, here are some basic terms to know when talking about colors in general.
• Primary colors
Primary colors are basic colors that can be mixed with things like paint, ink or light to create many more colors. Red, blue and green are often considered the main primary colors, but there are other sets depending on where and how they are being used.
• Cool colors
Colors such as blue, green and purple are called cool colors. They are often associated with calmness or cold things like ice and water.
• Warm colors
Warm colors are those close to red, orange and others that give the feeling of warmth or liveliness.
• Neutral colors
Colors that don't fit into either of the previous groups, such as brown, gray and beige, are called neutral colors.
Next, it's time to explore the variety of colors beyond the basics we learned as children! It's quite challenging to explain each one with words, so we encourage you to search online to see examples of each.
Different types of red
Red is often associated with passion, emotion, romance and danger.
• Darker reds
Crimson
Ruby
Burgundy
Mahogany
Maroon
• Lighter reds
Scarlet
Cherry Red
Vermillion
Raspberry
Idioms using red
Paint the town red
Meaning: to go out and have a wild, fun time
We're going to paint the town red to celebrate our graduation.
See red
Meaning: to be extremely angry
My parents were seeing red when they found out I crashed the car.
Red in the face
Meaning: very embarrassed
Dylan was red in the face after tripping on the staircase.
In the red
Meaning: in debt, owing money
The company has been in the red since its last product failed.
Different types of orange
Orange is often associated with warmth, fun and enthusiasm as well as impatience.
• Darker oranges
Rust
Dark Amber
Burnt Orange
Ochre
• Lighter oranges
Tangerine
Apricot
Pumpkin
Amber
Carrot
Papaya
Idioms using orange
Orange alert
Meaning: a status of high alert or warning, used in connection with safety and security
The authorities issued an orange alert because of the coming storm.
Different types of yellow
Yellow is often associated with brightness, happiness and optimism, but also sickness and weakness.
• Darker yellows
Mustard
Maize
Goldenrod
Flaxen
Dijon
Saffron
• Lighter yellows
Daffodil
Lemon
Canary
Idioms using yellow
Yellow journalism
Meaning: news reporting that focuses on sensational stories and scandal instead of facts
That magazine has a reputation for yellow journalism. Most of their articles are full of rumors and unreliable information.
Different types of green
Green is connected to nature, growth and health as well as envy and inexperience.
• Darker greens
Emerald Green
Olive Green
Forest Green
• Lighter greens
Lime Green
Mint Green
Sage Green
Kelly Green
Sea Green
Chartreuse
Idioms using green
Green light
Meaning: a signal that it is OK to move forward with a project or plan
The manager gave the project a green light, so we can start working on it immediately.
Green with envy
Meaning: very jealous
Simon was green with envy at his colleague's promotion.
Different types of blue
Blue is often associated with relaxation, peace, loyalty and sadness.
• Darker blues
Navy Blue
Royal Blue
Teal
Turquoise
Cobalt
Indigo
• Lighter blues
Sky Blue
Baby Blue
Cornflower
Steel Blue
Idioms using blue
Once in a blue moon
Meaning: very rarely
I only see my childhood friends once in a blue moon.
Feel blue
Meaning: sad or depressed
He's been feeling blue since he broke up with his girlfriend.
Black and blue
Meaning: refers to skin that has been beaten or damaged
Mark's face was black and blue after the fight.
Different types of purple
Purple is connected to royalty, luxury, mystery and magic.
• Darker purples
Violet
Plum
Amethyst
Grape
Eggplant
• Lighter purples
Lavender
Lilac
Mauve
Orchid
Periwinkle
Idioms using purple
Born in the purple
Meaning: born into a high-class family
Because he was born in the purple, he had access to special opportunities from an early age.
Different types of brown
Brown is connected to the Earth, stability and reliability as well as simplicity and dullness.
• Darker browns
Chocolate
Mahogany
Cocoa
Walnut
Coffee Brown
Amber Brown
• Lighter browns
Chestnut
Cinnamon
Auburn
Tan
Idioms using brown
Brown-nose
Meaning: to praise someone in order to get benefits or special treatment
He's always brown-nosing the teacher to get better grades.
Brownout
Meaning: a temporary loss of electrical power in an area
The news says to expect brownouts for the rest of the week.
Brown-bag
Meaning: to bring a prepared lunch from home to school or work, often in a brown bag
The cafeteria is closed this week, so we all have to brown-bag it.
Different types of pink
Pink is associated with things that are innocent, sweet and feminine as well as the quality of immaturity.
• Darker pinks
Magenta
Fuschia
Hot Pink
Rose Pink
Coral
• Lighter pinks
Bubblegum
Cotton Candy
Blush Pink
Flamingo
Baby Pink
Salmon
Idioms using pink
Tickled pink
Meaning: very pleased or happy about something
She was tickled pink when she received a surprise gift from her friend.
Pinky
Meaning: the smallest finger
He broke his pinky in a skateboarding accident.
Different types of white
White is connected to things that are pure, clean and light as well as things that are simple and boring.
Ivory
Cream
Snow
Pearl
Vanilla
Chiffon
Alabaster
Eggshell
Bone
Seashell
Idioms using white
White lie
Meaning: a lie that is considered harmless or that is told in order to avoid hurting someone's feelings
I told her I like her new haircut even though I don't. It was just a little white lie.
Wave a white flag
Meaning: to give up, quit
We can't wave the white flag; we have to keep on fighting!
Different types of black
Black is associated with strength, mystery and sophistication as well as sadness and negativity.
Jet Black
Midnight Black
Ebony
Charcoal
Raven
Obsidian
Pitch Black
Ink Black
Idioms with black
In the black
Meaning: profitable, the opposite of "in the red"
After being in debt for several months, our company is now back in the black and growing steadily.
Black sheep
Meaning: the person in a family or group who is different from the other members
John is the black sheep of the family; he's an artist while everyone else is a doctor.
Colorful conversations
The world is full of colors, and there are so many more than the basics we learned as children.
While artists and designers have a special need to know detailed colors, there is no reason we all can't learn a few more specific names. Take advantage of your next opportunity to use some of these terms and idioms!
This article is an adaptation of an original written by Sana Nozaki.
