tertiary colour: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Artistic
Quick answer
What does “tertiary colour” mean?
A colour created by mixing a primary colour with a secondary colour adjacent to it on the colour wheel.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A colour created by mixing a primary colour with a secondary colour adjacent to it on the colour wheel.
In broader contexts, can refer to any colour of intermediate complexity between primary and secondary colours, often described with hyphenated names (e.g., blue-green). In some systems, it refers specifically to colours made by mixing all three primaries in varying proportions, resulting in browns, olives, and other muted tones.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'colour' (UK) vs. 'color' (US). The term itself is used identically in technical/artistic contexts.
Connotations
None beyond the spelling difference.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, confined to specific fields like art, design, and fashion.
Grammar
How to Use “tertiary colour” in a Sentence
[tertiary colour] + of + [base colours] (e.g., a tertiary colour of orange and violet)[verb] + [tertiary colour] + from + [primary/secondary colours]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tertiary colour” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The tertiary colour palette she chose featured elegant russets and slate blues.
- He focused on the tertiary colour harmonies in the painting.
American English
- The design uses a tertiary color scheme of blue-violet and red-orange.
- She explained the tertiary color mixtures to the class.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in branding, marketing, or product design discussions about colour psychology and palettes.
Academic
Used in art theory, colour science, design studies, and psychology papers on visual perception.
Everyday
Very rare. Most non-specialists would say 'a mix between X and Y' or use a specific name like 'olive' or 'rust'.
Technical
Core term in visual arts, graphic design, interior design, and printing industries.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tertiary colour”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tertiary colour”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tertiary colour”
- Pronouncing 'tertiary' as /ˈtɜː.ti.ər.i/ (correct is /ˈtɜː.ʃər.i/ or /ˈtɝː.ʃi.er.i/).
- Using 'tertiary colour' to mean any dark or dull colour.
- Confusing which colour model (RYB vs. RGB) is being referenced.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In the RYB (art) system, tertiaries are mixes of a primary and a secondary (e.g., red-orange). In RGB (light), they are often considered the colours between the primaries and secondaries on a digital wheel. In CMYK (printing), the definition can vary.
Common hyphenated names include blue-green, red-violet, yellow-orange. They are also often described by their common names: teal (blue-green), magenta (red-purple), amber (yellow-orange).
It provides a specific vocabulary for discussing complex colour relationships, essential for artists and designers to create harmony, contrast, and specific moods in their work.
Typically six in a standard 12-part colour wheel (e.g., red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, red-violet), but the number can vary based on the wheel's divisions.
A colour created by mixing a primary colour with a secondary colour adjacent to it on the colour wheel.
Tertiary colour is usually technical / artistic in register.
Tertiary colour: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtɜː.ʃər.i ˈkʌl.ər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtɝː.ʃi.er.i ˈkʌl.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: Primary (1st), Secondary (2nd), Tertiary (3rd). Tertiary colours are the 'third' step in mixing basic colours.
Conceptual Metaphor
COLOURS ARE RELATIVES (primary as parents, secondary as children, tertiary as grandchildren).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is generally considered a tertiary colour in the RYB (painting) model?