bicolor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical, Scientific
Quick answer
What does “bicolor” mean?
Having two different colors.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Having two different colors.
Consisting of two distinct colors, often in a pattern or design; used to describe objects, animals, plants, or designs where two colors are prominently featured.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: British English uses 'bicolour', American English uses 'bicolor'. Usage frequency is similar, with a slight preference in technical fields.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. In heraldry, it has specific technical connotations.
Frequency
Low-frequency word in general discourse but stable in specialized fields like biology and design.
Grammar
How to Use “bicolor” in a Sentence
be + bicolorbicolor + nounVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bicolor” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The bicolour flag fluttered in the wind.
- She cultivated a rare bicolour rose in her garden.
American English
- The bicolor fabric was perfect for the quilt.
- We installed bicolor LEDs for the stage lighting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in product descriptions for textiles, lighting, or design elements (e.g., 'bicolor marketing materials').
Academic
Common in biological descriptions (e.g., 'bicolor lupine'), heraldry, and optics.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; might be used for describing specific plants, pets, or clothing items.
Technical
Precise term in botany, zoology, heraldry, and electronics (e.g., bicolor sensor).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bicolor”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bicolor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bicolor”
- Using 'bicolor' as a noun (e.g., 'It is a bicolor' instead of 'It is bicolor'). Confusing it with 'multicolored'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely. It is primarily an adjective (e.g., a bicolor flower). Using it as a noun ('a bicolor') is non-standard.
Spelling: UK 'bicolour', US 'bicolor'. Pronunciation and meaning are identical.
No. 'Bicolor' specifically means two colors. For more colors, terms like 'multicolored', 'parti-colored', or 'variegated' are used.
It is a low-frequency word in everyday language but is standard and common in technical, scientific, and design contexts.
Having two different colors.
Bicolor is usually formal, technical, scientific in register.
Bicolor: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbaɪˌkʌlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbaɪˌkʌlər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None commonly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BIcycle (two wheels) that is colorful: BI + COLOR = having two colors.
Conceptual Metaphor
Duality expressed through visual contrast.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'bicolor' LEAST likely to be used?