Dictionary

dye en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /daɪ/
• (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

From Middle English deye, from Old English dēah, dēag (“color, hue, dye”), from Proto-West Germanic *daugu (“color, shade”), from *daugan (“to conceal, be dark”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰewh₂- (“to smoke, raise dust, camouflage”). Cognates Cognate with Old High German tougan (“dark, secretive”), tougal (“dark, hidden, covert”), Old English dēagol, dīegle (“dark, hidden, secret”), Old English dohs, dox (“dusky, dark”). See dusk.

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) A colorant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied.
   • While the yarn is soaking in its water and vinegar bath, I prepare a selection of dyes for my preferred colorway. Isolate each dye in its own jar and place it in the larger dyepot. 2026, Katherine Augustine, “Dyeing in the Baking Aisle”, in Spin Off, volume L, number 1, page 35:
2. (countable, uncountable) Any hue or color.

Forms

Deriveds

dyewater (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · dyepot (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · dyestuff (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · tie and dye (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · dye-house (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · dyehouse (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · dye job (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · dyewood (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · dye tracer (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · dyeworks (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · dye-sub (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · dyework (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · dyeless (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · dyeline (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · purple dye murex (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · tie-dye (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · of the deepest dye (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · dye pack (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · dyery (Terms derived from "dye" (noun)) · dyelike (Terms derived from "dye" (noun))

Hyponyms

hair dye · leuco dye · azo dye · indirect dye · Red Dye 40 · lac dye · mordant dye · vat dye · triarylmethane dye · vegetable dye · animal dye · xanthene dye

Relateds

diolistic · ink

Synonyms

tincture · colorant

Translations (107)

nl kleurstof (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · cmn 染料 (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · tr boya (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · sh фа̑рба (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · et värvaine (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · pt tintura (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · fi värjäysaine (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · grc βαφή (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · alt бойу (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · ko 염료 (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · mi waitae (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · ang dēag (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · el βαφή (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · pt corante (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · hy ներկ (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · gl colorante (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · ky боёк (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · vi thuốc nhuộm (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · nl kleur (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · eo kolorigilo (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · ps ورېغ (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · pl farba (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · lv krāsviela (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · tg ранг (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · sk farbivo (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · ja 染料 (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · uk ба́рва (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · cs barva (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · arz صبغة (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · sq bojë (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · mn будаг (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · he צֶבַע (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · tk boýag (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · mn ᠪᠤᠳᠤᠭ (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · de Färbemittel (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · sh fȃrba (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · pl barwnik (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · ms pewarna (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · bg багри́ло (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · da farve (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · grc βάμμα (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · gl tintura (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · ru кра́ска (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · mi tae (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · fi väri (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · ota بویا (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · eo tinkturo (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · haw waihoʻoluʻu (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · de Farbstoff (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · be фа́рба (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · de Färbung (Farbnuance) (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · mi wairākau (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · te రంగు పదార్థం (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · be фарбава́льнік (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · my ဆိုးဆေး (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · la tinctūra (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · sk farba (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · pl barwidło (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · az boya (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · az rəng (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · ur رنگ (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · hu festék (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · da farvestof (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · uz boʻyoq (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · uz rang (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · id pewarna (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · cs barvivo (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · es tinte (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · mrw randang (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · ru краси́тель (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · fa رزانه (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · cv сӑрӑ (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · xal будг (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · mr मेंदी (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · sv färgämne (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · is litur (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · ro vopsea (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · tk reňk (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · nn fargestoff (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · hi रंजक (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · ast tiñe (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · fa رنگ (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · uk фа́рба (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · kk бояу (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · fi väriaine (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · hi रंग (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · nb fargestoff (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · ka საღებავი (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · uk барвни́к (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · ug بوياق (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · de Färbmittel (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · sl barvilo (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · ca tint (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · ro colorant (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · mk боја (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · ms pencelup (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · bg боя́ (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · ar صِبْغَة (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · lv krāsa (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · it tintura (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · id pencelup (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · es tintura (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · fa جوهر (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · kk бояғыш (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · de Färbmittel (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · fr teinture (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied) · is litarefni (a colourant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied)

dye en · VERB · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• /daɪ/
• (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

Fom Middle English deien, from Old English dēagian, from the noun.

Meanings

1. (ambitransitive) To colour with dye, or as if with dye.
   • You look different. Have you had your hair dyed?
   • If indeed sharks were inclined to eat people, the world's oceans would be dyed crimson with the blood of millions. 1983, Richard Ellis, The Book of Sharks, Knopf, →ISBN, page 164:
   • I found this 4-500 Mesh Nylon Strainer Flour Sieve handy and budget-friendly, especially for those who dye often and want to keep solids out of their pots effortlessly. 2025 August 12, Evelyn, “Creative Guide to Dyeing Clothes Naturally with Fruits and Vegetables at Home”, in DHgate.com, archived from the original on 30 Oct 2025:
   • From there, customization simply becomes a matter of crafting trims at a smithing table, then dyeing them “using gems and ingots like diamonds, copper, and netherite.” 2023 January 24, Brianna Reeves, “Minecraft 1.20 update to make major changes to netherite and gold”, in Dexerto:
   • But tho’ Black cannot be Dyed to the laſt perfection either in Wool or Hair without Woad, the Hatters have quite left off their accuſtomed uſe of it in the Dying of Hatts, and believe at the ſame time, that too ſtrong a Black makes the Hairs or Nap fall off, which is very neceſſary for the ſale and beauty of the Hatts, though this rather proceeds from the hand of the Workman that dreſſes them than in Dying them, or the Hairs not being ſufficiently fulled, or ſtrongly enough united to the felt; […] 1705, anonymous translator, “Part. XI. Of the Dying of Thread, and Cloth made of Hemp, Flax or Cotten, with whatever is necessary to the perfection of Silk Dying, and the making and Dying of Hats.”, in The Whole Art of Dying. […], London: […] William Pearson, and sold by J[ohn] Nutt, […], →OCLC, section CCXLIX, page 300:

Forms

Deriveds

dyebath (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · dye in the wool (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · dyed-in-the-wool (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · undyed (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · dyer (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · deep-dye (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · dyability (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · dyeing (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · undyeable (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · overdye (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · bedye (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · dying (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · undye (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · dyeable (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · predye (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · dyed (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · piece-dye (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · dyeability (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · counterdye (Terms derived from "dye" (verb)) · redye (Terms derived from "dye" (verb))

Synonyms

shade (to color) · streak (to color) · stain (to color) · tint (to color)

Translations (73)

oc ténher (to colour with dye) · es tinturar (to colour with dye) · sh офарбати (to colour with dye) · ro vopsi (to colour with dye) · scn tìnciri (to colour with dye) · cs barvit (to colour with dye) · es teñir (to colour with dye) · fi värjätä (to colour with dye) · hu fest (to colour with dye) · bg боядисвам (to colour with dye) · nl kleuren (to colour with dye) · sh ofarbati (to colour with dye) · sdc pintà (to colour with dye) · de einfärben (to colour with dye) · eo tinkturi (to colour with dye) · oc tintar (to colour with dye) · fa رزیدن (to colour with dye) · scn tìngiri (to colour with dye) · it tingere (to colour with dye) · vi nhuộm (to colour with dye) · cs obarvit (to colour with dye) · pl barwić (to colour with dye) · fa رشتن (to colour with dye) · ko 염색하다 (to colour with dye) · ca tenyir (to colour with dye) · fr teindre (to colour with dye) · da farve (to colour with dye) · fi sävyttää (to colour with dye) · arz صبغ (to colour with dye) · ar صَبَغَ (to colour with dye) · fur tenzi (to colour with dye) · is lita (to colour with dye) · acn cauh (to colour with dye) · vec ténxar (to colour with dye) · uk фарбува́ти (to colour with dye) · la tinguō (to colour with dye) · sk zafarbiť (to colour with dye) · pl farbować (to colour with dye) · gl tinxir (to colour with dye) · gl tinguir (to colour with dye) · vec ténzar (to colour with dye) · sv färga (to colour with dye) · te రంగు అద్దు (to colour with dye) · ps رنګول (to colour with dye) · cmn 染 (to colour with dye) · sc pintài (to colour with dye) · lv krāsot (to colour with dye) · grc ῥέζω (to colour with dye) · th ย้อม (to colour with dye) · el βάφω (to colour with dye) · nl verven (to colour with dye) · grc βάπτω (to colour with dye) · de färben (to colour with dye) · alt бойор (to colour with dye) · haw hoʻoluʻu (to colour with dye) · tr boyamak (to colour with dye) · sh фарбати (to colour with dye) · ru кра́сить (to colour with dye) · he צָבַע (to colour with dye) · mi tāwai (to colour with dye) · eo kolorigi (to colour with dye) · sdn pintà (to colour with dye) · ja 染める (to colour with dye) · sc pintare (to colour with dye) · sk farbiť (to colour with dye) · lb afierwen (to colour with dye) · oc tenchar (to colour with dye) · la tingō (to colour with dye) · gv daaghey (to colour with dye) · av белъине (to colour with dye) · sh farbati (to colour with dye) · vec ténxer (to colour with dye) · pt tingir (to colour with dye)

dye en · NOUN · etymology 3

Pronunciation

• /daɪ/
• (Southern-England) audio

Meanings

1. (alt-of, archaic) Archaic spelling of die (“a cube used in games of chance”).
   alt of die
   • If a dye were marked with one figure or number of spots on four sides, and with another figure or number of spots on the two remaining sides, it would be more probable, that the former would turn up than the latter; 1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral., London: Oxford University Press, published 1973, § 46:
   • The Superficies was compoſed of ſeveral bits of Wood, about the bigneſs of a Dye, but ſome larger than others. 1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Author Permitted to See the Grand Academy of Lagado. […]”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume II, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part III (A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Glubbdubdribb, Luggnagg, and Japan), page 72:

Forms