noun

pigment

PIHG-muhnt

noun

A substance that gives colour to something, such as paint, skin, or plant cells.

"Melanin is the pigment responsible for skin and hair colour."

"Artists once made pigments by grinding minerals into powder."

verb

To add colour to something.

"The dye pigments the fabric a deep indigo."

How to Use Pigment

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA colouring substance found in paint, skin, or plants.

Common pairings

skin pigment natural pigment pigment cells

pigmented past tense, pigments plural, pigments singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Melanin is the _____ responsible for skin and hair colour.

From Latin pigmentum, related to pingere ("to paint") — a doublet of "pimento" and "pimiento".

figment