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Glite Dictionary
🌈 Many colors 🧬 Dense chromosome
heterochromatic

heterochromatic

8.8
Showing many different colors
  • adjective
  • /ˌhɛtərəkoʊˈmrætɪk/
translation icon : heterocromático
  • The peacock's feathers are famously heterochromatic, glistening with a spectrum of colors in the sunlight.

Examples

  • In the garden, the flowers were heterochromatic, displaying a beautiful mix of reds, yellows, and blues.

  • We're a heterochromatic couple (she's black and I'm white) living in Brazil.

    Blog text (3)

  • The artist created a heterochromatic mural that showcased vibrant hues and intricate patterns.

Synonyms

colorful
vsheterochromatic
  • US
89 1.0

Having bright, different colors that catch the eye

focuses more widely on colors or wavelengths rather than brightness alone
multicolored
vsheterochromatic
  • US
8 2.9

Having many different bright colors

also includes nonvisible wavelengths and light rather than only colored surfaces
multi-colored
vsheterochromatic
  • US
5 2.6

Having parts of different bright colors

is broader covering wavelengths or spectral mixes not only visible patches
multispectral
vsheterochromatic
  • Specialized
2 6.8

Using different types of light, cameras show details not seen in visible light

covers multiple colors or wavelengths more generally rather than only technical uses
multicolor
vsheterochromatic
  • US
1 3.2

Having parts with different bright colors, like a rug or scarf

can also mean combinations of wavelengths not just surface color patterns
polychromatic
vsheterochromatic
  • Specialized
1 7.5

Having many different colors like a rainbow

is the general label for several colors or wavelengths in objects
multihued
vsheterochromatic
1 5.9

Having many different colors

is limited to physical color or wavelengths rather than figurative meanings
polychromic
vsheterochromatic
  • Specialized
8.2

Showing many colors like a bright painting or butterfly

includes wavelengths as well as visible color rather than only appearance
polychrome
vsheterochromatic
7.5

Having many bright colors

also covers wavelengths and light not only visible color displays
multi-color
vsheterochromatic
  • US
3.5

Having parts of different bright colors

also applies to different light bands and wavelengths not only colored parts
varicolored
vsheterochromatic
5.7

Having many different colors

is more general and can include wavelength mixes beyond mere surface colors

Antonyms

monochromatic
8 7.2

Having only one color, or for light, only one wavelength

How Colorful

multicolored
  • US
8 2.9
heterochromatic
8.8
bicolored
  • US
1 4.2

Surface Forms

heterochromatic positive

Morphology

heterochromatic = chromatic (semi-transparent) = hetero + chrom + atic

The prefix 'hetero-' implies diversity, and 'chromatic' relates to color, but the specific meaning of 'having several different colors' requires contextual knowledge.

Etymology

Heterochromatic comes from hetero- 'different' and chromatic from chroma 'color', the opposite of monochrome 'one color'. So it literally means 'different colors', which is why we use it for things that show several colors or wavelengths.