dye
Americannoun
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a coloring material or matter.
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a liquid containing coloring matter, for imparting a particular hue to cloth, paper, etc.
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color or hue, especially as produced by dyeing.
verb (used with object)
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to color or stain; treat with a dye; color (cloth, hair, etc.) with a substance containing coloring matter.
to dye a dress green.
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to impart (color) by means of a dye.
The coloring matter dyed green.
verb (used without object)
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to impart color, as a dye.
This brand dyes well.
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to become colored or absorb color when treated with a dye.
This cloth dyes easily.
idioms
noun
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a staining or colouring substance, such as a natural or synthetic pigment
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a liquid that contains a colouring material and can be used to stain fabrics, skins, etc
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the colour or shade produced by dyeing
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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dyernoun
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undyableadjective
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dyableadjective
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undyedadjective
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dyeableadjective
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redyeverb (used with object)
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has dyedperfect 3rd person singular
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have dyedperfect
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is dyeingprogressive 3rd person singular
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have been dyeingperfect progressive
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has been dyeingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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are dyeingprogressive
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am dyeingprogressive 1st person singular
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dyessingular 3rd person
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dyeingparticiple
Past
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had dyedperfect
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had been dyeingperfect progressive
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was dyeingprogressive singular
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were dyeingprogressive plural
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dyedparticiple
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dyedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of dye
before 1000; Middle English dien, Old English dēagian, derivative of dēag a dye
Explanation
Dye is a substance that's used to change the color of whatever it's applied to. You can use hair dye to change your light brown hair to deep, dark purple. Dye is used on fabrics, hair, yarn and other fibers, clothing, and food, among other things. When you apply dye to something, you dye it. If you're baking a birthday cake for your friend who loves the color orange, you might use food coloring — a type of dye — to dye the vanilla frosting orange. The Old English root of dye is deah, "a color or hue," which is possibly related to deagol, "secret, hidden, or dark."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In some tests, dye poured into sinkholes on the plateau traveled roughly 20 kilometers and appeared at springs in as little as a week.
From Science Daily • Jun. 2, 2026
"In light of recent events and the renewed concerns from residents, the partnership has now reassessed the situation and is awaiting the manufacturing and delivery of the dye."
From BBC • May 28, 2026
She strolls in without makeup, fresh red hair dye staining her scalp, three glittering studs on her teeth that she flashes while talking as though she’s not being recorded.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026
The FDA formally recognized the dye as a carcinogen in 1990, banning its use in cosmetics and externally applied drugs.
From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026
“I love your hair color. It’s such a rich, chocolaty brown. I think I might dye my hair soon. I’m sick of the blonde, I want to go dark. Like yours.”
From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
