dichromaticism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2technical/scientific/academic
Quick answer
What does “dichromaticism” mean?
The condition of having or using only two colours.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The condition of having or using only two colours.
In technical fields (optics, biology, art), the property of exhibiting two colours, or the characteristic of vision or a system that relies on two primary colours.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling follows the local convention for '-ism' suffix.
Connotations
None beyond its technical meaning.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, slightly more likely in American academic literature due to larger volume of technical publishing.
Grammar
How to Use “dichromaticism” in a Sentence
The [noun] exhibits dichromaticism.Dichromaticism in [species/medium] is caused by...Researchers studied the [type] of dichromaticism.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dichromaticism” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The study focused on dichromaticism patterns in birds.
- The artist's early period showed a deliberate dichromaticism style.
American English
- The research paper analyzed dichromaticism in mammalian vision.
- The display's dichromaticism was a design limitation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in specialised papers on colour vision, zoology (animal colouration), optics, and art history/analysis.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Primary context. Describes a property of a visual system, display technology, or biological trait.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dichromaticism”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dichromaticism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dichromaticism”
- Misspelling as 'dichromatism' (more common, often synonymous but can have different technical nuances).
- Using it in non-technical contexts.
- Incorrect stress placement: it's on the third syllable (mat).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Dichromaticism is a specific form of colour vision deficiency (a type of colour blindness) where only two types of cone cells are functional, as opposed to the normal three. It is one scientific description of a condition.
Yes. While most common in vision science, it can describe any system or object that uses or displays only two colours, such as in certain artistic styles, animal fur patterns, or simplified display screens.
They are often used interchangeably, especially in biology. However, some technical fields may reserve 'dichromatism' for the property of exhibiting two colours (e.g., in animal markings), and 'dichromaticism' for the condition of vision or a system based on two colours. In practice, the distinction is blurry.
No. It is a highly specialised technical term. An average native speaker would almost certainly not know it or use it.
The condition of having or using only two colours.
Dichromaticism is usually technical/scientific/academic in register.
Dichromaticism: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdaɪ.krəʊˈmæt.ɪ.sɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdaɪ.kroʊˈmæt̬.ə.sɪ.zəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DI' (two) + 'CHROMATIC' (colour) + 'ISM' (condition or state) = the state of having two colours.
Conceptual Metaphor
COLOUR IS A SPECTRUM / VISION IS A CHANNEL.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'dichromaticism' LEAST likely to be used?