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Glite Dictionary
polychromatic

polychromatic

1 7.5
Having many different colors like a rainbow
  • adjective
  • /ˌpɑːlɪˈkroʊmətɪk/
  • Specialized
: policromático
  • The interior, with its polychromatic blurring of the structure and its prolific ornament, is far removed from the structural austerity of the Sagrestia Vecchia.

Examples

  • The artist used polychromatic paints to create a vibrant mural on the side of the building.

  • The Rainbow Fish was "the most beautiful fish in the entire ocean" because of the sparkling polychromatic scales that covered his body.

    Blog text (19)

  • Hvar's polychromatic Neolithic ceramics have an important place among Neolithic artifacts.

    Academic text (1993)

  • The polychromatic surface of the enameled icon is, in Greek, "enflowered": virtually filled with the complex perfume of fragrant blossoms.

    Academic text (2006)

  • The children's playground was filled with polychromatic swings, slides, and climbing structures.

  • The polychromatic lights in the concert hall changed colors with the rhythm of the music.

Synonyms

colorful
vspolychromatic
  • US
92 1.0

Having bright, different colors that catch the eye

is more technical, also including colors formed by mixed wavelengths
multicolored
vspolychromatic
  • US
11 2.9

Having many different bright colors

is similar but also refers to colored light mixtures, not only patches
multi-colored
vspolychromatic
  • US
7 2.6

Having parts of different bright colors

extends this to include multiwavelength light as well as paint
multi-color
vspolychromatic
  • US
6 3.5

Having parts of different bright colors

is the same idea but can also mean mixed light wavelengths
variegated
vspolychromatic
4 7.2

Having patches or streaks of different colors

is more general and can also refer to mixed colored light
multicolor
vspolychromatic
  • US
1 3.2

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

adds the sense of colored light combinations beyond surface patterns
polychrome
vspolychromatic
1 7.5

Having many bright colors

includes light made of several wavelengths as well as surface color
multihued
vspolychromatic
1 5.9

Having many different colors

is more literal, also covering color mixtures of light wavelengths
varicolored
vspolychromatic
1 5.7

Having many different colors

is wider, also applying to light made from several wavelengths
heterochromatic
vspolychromatic
1 8.8

Showing many different colors

is broader by including ordinary colored surfaces as well as wavelengths
polychromic
vspolychromatic
  • Specialized
8.2

Showing many colors like a bright painting or butterfly

also covers mixtures of colored light and wavelength combinations

Antonyms

monochromatic
7 7.2

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

How Colorful

polychromatic
  • Specialized
1 7.5
bicolor
1 4.9

Surface Forms

polychromatic positive

Morphology

polychromatic = chromatic (transparent) = poly + chromatic

The meaning is directly compositional: 'poly-' means many and 'chromatic' refers to color, so the sense 'having many colors' follows standard English formation.

Etymology

The word polychromatic combines poly- 'many' and chromatic from chroma 'color', just like monochrome means 'one color'. So, polychromatic describes something that shows many different colors.