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Glite Dictionary
polychromatic

polychromatic

1 7.5
Having many different colors like a rainbow
  • adjective
  • /ˌpɑːlɪˈkroʊmətɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : 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
89 1.0

Having bright, different colors that catch the eye

is more technical, also including colors formed by mixed wavelengths
multicolored
vspolychromatic
  • US
8 2.9

Having many different bright colors

is similar but also refers to colored light mixtures, not only patches
multi-colored
vspolychromatic
  • US
5 2.6

Having parts of different bright colors

extends this to include multiwavelength light as well as paint
variegated
vspolychromatic
5 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
multihued
vspolychromatic
1 5.9

Having many different colors

is more literal, also covering color mixtures of light wavelengths
polychrome
vspolychromatic
7.5

Having many bright colors

includes light made of several wavelengths as well as surface color
polychromic
vspolychromatic
  • Specialized
8.2

Showing many colors like a bright painting or butterfly

also covers mixtures of colored light and wavelength combinations
heterochromatic
vspolychromatic
8.8

Showing many different colors

is broader by including ordinary colored surfaces as well as wavelengths
multi-color
vspolychromatic
  • US
3.5

Having parts of different bright colors

is the same idea but can also mean mixed light wavelengths
varicolored
vspolychromatic
5.7

Having many different colors

is wider, also applying to light made from several wavelengths

Antonyms

monochromatic
8 7.2

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

How Colorful

polychromatic
  • Specialized
1 7.5
bicolor
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.