chromatic

1 of 2

adjective

chro·​mat·​ic krō-ˈma-tik How to pronounce chromatic (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or giving all the tones of the chromatic scale
b
: characterized by frequent use of accidentals
2
a
: of or relating to color or color phenomena or sensations
b
: highly colored
3
: of or relating to chroma
chromatically adverb
chromaticism noun

chromatic

2 of 2

noun

Examples of chromatic in a Sentence

Adjective the strikingly chromatic paintings of Matisse and the other Fauvists
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The spiral draws them toward a center where light is distilled into prisms, weaving the visitor and the landscape into a dance of chromatic splendor. Shelby Knick, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2024 Geometric reduction, chromatic reduction and flat color tints. Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 Instead, O’Hara and James sing tilting lines of chromatic melody. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 Echoing the disturbingly colorful bad trip vibes of Enter the Void (2009) and weaving a visual chromatic atmosphere that serves as a dollhouse for this cerebral mindf---, this horror movie pushes the envelope and then sets it on fire. James Mercadante, EW.com, 27 Oct. 2023 Pissarro grasped that the system was secondary to the sensuality, the ability to crystallize sensation into specific chromatic atoms. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2023 The synths—bubbling and chromatic, kinetic like ocean waves. Pitchfork, 12 Dec. 2023 Yet, incandescent yellows remained, possessed of an eye-stopping chromatic appeal. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 25 Nov. 2023 On his graduation in 1959, Mr. Del Tredici continued his studies with Earl Kim and Roger Sessions at Princeton University, and he was strongly drawn to the dissonant, intensely chromatic style that prevailed among the composers there. Allan Kozinn, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023
Noun
It’s this very simple chromatic ascending and descending motif. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Jan. 2023 The octagonal steering wheel has small screens built in, while the glass roof has electro-chromatic panels that can individually adjust their opacity. Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 5 Jan. 2023 Saying goodbye to the camp aesthetic and hello to a sultry chromatic look, SZA continues to keep us under a spell with every Instagram post and story. Danielle Wright, Essence, 9 Nov. 2022 Carolina’s chromatic sensibility—again, a feature of her Plan C line—is unconventional. Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2022 Mathematicians observed that the coefficients of chromatic polynomials, no matter the graph, always seem to obey certain patterns. Quanta Magazine, 5 July 2022 More complex chromatic polynomials can be written for more complex geometric objects. New York Times, 5 July 2022 Painting merged with sculpture in lush chromatic fields. Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2022 Electro-chromatic glass on the hood allows more light into the cabin when driving, but can also be darkened to hide anything stored inside. Laura Burstein, Robb Report, 21 Apr. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chromatic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin chrōmaticus, borrowed from Greek chrōmatikós "of color (in rhetoric), of the chromatic scale," from chrōmat-, chrôma "skin, complexion, color, the chromatic scale" + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at -chrome

Noun

derivative of chromatic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun

1708, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chromatic was in 1630

Dictionary Entries Near chromatic

Cite this Entry

“Chromatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chromatic. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chromatic

1 of 2 adjective
chro·​mat·​ic krō-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce chromatic (audio)
1
: of or relating to color
especially : being a shade other than black, gray, or white
2
: of or relating to the chromatic scale
chromatically
-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb

chromatic

2 of 2 noun
Etymology

Adjective

from Greek chrōmatikos "relating to color," from chrōma "color"

Medical Definition

chromatic

adjective
chro·​mat·​ic krō-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce chromatic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characterized by color or color phenomena or sensations
chromatic perception
chromatic stimuli
2
: capable of being colored by staining agents
chromatic substances

More from Merriam-Webster on chromatic

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