noun

pigment

pigment, colourant

Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color.

Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its colour.

The artist mixed the blue pigment with oil.

The artist mixed the blue pigment with oil.

((a/the)) pigment a substance that gives something a particular colour Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its colour.

Synonyms: colour, dye, tint, colourant

From Latin 'pigmentum' meaning 'colouring matter', which comes from 'pingere' meaning 'to paint'.

Think of a 'pig' being painted with colourful 'pigment'. The word 'paint' and 'pigment' share a Latin root.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.