colour supplement: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “colour supplement” mean?
A magazine that is printed in colour and comes free with a newspaper, usually containing features, lifestyle articles, and advertisements.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A magazine that is printed in colour and comes free with a newspaper, usually containing features, lifestyle articles, and advertisements.
A glossy magazine, often themed (e.g., fashion, travel, real estate), distributed as part of a weekend or Sunday newspaper.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Commonly used in British English. In American English, the equivalent term is typically 'Sunday magazine,' 'magazine supplement,' or simply 'the magazine section' (e.g., The New York Times Magazine). The spelling 'color supplement' is very rare in US usage.
Connotations
In the UK, it often connotes a weekend tradition of reading lengthy, illustrated articles on culture, arts, and lifestyle.
Frequency
Frequent in UK media discourse; rare to nonexistent in general US media discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “colour supplement” in a Sentence
The [Publication] includes/contains a colour supplement.She writes for the [Newspaper Name] colour supplement.I was reading an article in the colour supplement.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “colour supplement” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The newspaper will colour-supplement its weekend edition with a travel guide. (rare, possible)
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- She had a colour-supplement lifestyle. (metaphorical, describing a glossy, affluent lifestyle as portrayed in such supplements)
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in publishing/media contexts to discuss newspaper product offerings and advertising revenue from high-gloss sections.
Academic
Used in media studies, journalism, or cultural history to discuss print media formats and weekend readership habits.
Everyday
Used when discussing weekend plans, reading habits, or a specific article's source ("I saw it in the colour supplement.").
Technical
Not a technical term outside of publishing/media industry discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “colour supplement”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “colour supplement”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “colour supplement”
- Using 'colour supplement' to refer to any magazine (it must be associated with a newspaper).
- Spelling as 'color supplement' in strictly British contexts.
- Using it to describe online content.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, the term distinguished it from black-and-white sections. Today, virtually all are in colour, but the name persists.
No. It specifically refers to a magazine included with the price of a newspaper.
"Sunday magazine" or "magazine section" (e.g., "The New York Times Magazine"). The term 'color supplement' is not standard.
As print newspapers decline, the term is less frequent in everyday use but remains current in media industry language and among older readers.
A magazine that is printed in colour and comes free with a newspaper, usually containing features, lifestyle articles, and advertisements.
Colour supplement is usually formal, journalistic in register.
Colour supplement: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkʌl.ə ˈsʌp.lɪ.mənt/, and in American English it is pronounced Not applicable; term not standard in AmE. For reference, hypothetical: /ˌkʌl.ɚ ˈsʌp.lə.mənt/.. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COLOURful pictures SUPPLEMENT (add to) the black-and-white news.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SUPPLEMENT IS AN APPENDAGE (an added part attached to a main body).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is the term 'colour supplement' most commonly used and understood?