noun
dye
deye
noun
1
A substance used to change the colour of something, especially fabric or hair.
"She used a natural dye made from beetroot."
verb
1
To change the colour of something using dye.
"He dyed his hair bright blue for the festival."
How to Use Dye
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA colouring substance, or the act of colouring something with it.
Common mistake
Easily confused with "die" (to stop living) since they sound identical — remember "dye" changes colour, and its "-ing" form is "dyeing," not "dying."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
hair dye
dye a fabric
dyed blue
Word Forms
dyed past tense, dyes plural, Dyes plural, dyes singular
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She used a natural _____ made from beetroot.
Etymology
From Old English dēah/dēag, "colour" or "hue," ultimately from a root meaning "to conceal" or "be dark" — the same root behind "dusk."