Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
color constancy

color constancy

7.0
The color of an object stays the same under different lights
  • noun
  • /ˈkʌlər ˈkɒnstənsi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : constancia del color
  • Thanks to color constancy, the color of the apple looked the same in sunlight and in the shade.

Examples

  • The phenomenon of color constancy helps us recognize objects despite changes in lighting.

  • Artists often rely on their understanding of color constancy when choosing colors for paintings.

  • The concept of color constancy is fascinating.

  • How does color constancy affect our perception?

  • Thanks to color constancy, the red dress looked the same whether I was indoors or outside in the sunlight.

  • The phenomenon of color constancy allows us to see the blue sky as blue, even when it's cloudier outside.

  • Understanding color constancy is essential for photographers to ensure accurate color representation in their images.

Surface Forms

color constancy singular
colour constancy singular

Morphology

color + constancy

The phrase's meaning is directly composed from 'color' (the visual attribute) and 'constancy' (the property of remaining stable), so it denotes the tendency for colors to appear stable across different lighting. This compositional, cross-linguistically common logic makes the term predictable for a learner who already knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Color constancy comes from the way our eyes and brain keep a color looking the 'same' even when the light changes. For example, a red apple still looks red in sun or in shade, so constancy here means the color seems unchanged under different lights.