Color words are essential vocabulary in any language. Knowing the basic color terms in English provides a solid foundation for describing objects, people, places and ideas. While there are thousands of color shades and nuances, most linguists agree there are 11 basic color words in English.
The 11 Basic English Color Words
The 11 basic color words in English are:
- Black
- White
- Red
- Green
- Yellow
- Blue
- Brown
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple
- Gray
These terms represent colors from across the visible spectrum, plus black, white and gray. While most colors have multiple names and shades like crimson, magenta, navy, etc., these 11 words represent the basic hues found in nature and everyday life.
How Were These Colors Chosen?
In a groundbreaking study published in 1969, Brent Berlin and Paul Kay presented evidence that these 11 color words represent a universal hierarchy found in many cultures and languages. Their research analyzed 98 languages from around the world and found the following pattern:
All languages first develop words representing black and white (dark/light). If a third color term emerges, it is red. Then followed by green or yellow, and finally blue. After these principal colors, brown, orange, pink, purple and gray words may develop, often in that approximate order.
This consistent hierarchy led Berlin and Kay to propose that these basic color terms are psychologically primary for human perception and linguistics. This became known as the theory of Basic Color Terms (BCTs).
| Order | Color Term |
|---|---|
| 1 | Black |
| 2 | White |
| 3 | Red |
| 4 | Green or Yellow |
| 5 | Blue |
| 6 | Brown |
| 7 | Orange |
| 8 | Pink |
| 9 | Purple |
| 10 | Gray |
While Berlin and Kay’s study focused on spoken languages, the same basic color word hierarchy has been found in sign languages of the deaf as well. This suggests a deeper cognitive association, regardless of communication mode.
When Did These 11 Colors Enter English?
Old English, dating back to around 450-1100 AD, already contained words for the core colors of black, white, red, green, yellow and blue. Brown, gray and orange appeared over the next few centuries as Old English transitioned into Middle English.
The Oxford English Dictionary’s first recorded uses of the 11 basic colors in English are:
| Color | Year |
|---|---|
| Black | 750 AD |
| White | 825 AD |
| Red | 825 AD |
| Green | 825 AD |
| Yellow | 825 AD |
| Blue | 1000 AD |
| Brown | 1300 AD |
| Orange | 1512 AD |
| Pink | 1704 AD |
| Purple | 1450 AD |
| Gray | 1250 AD |
While purple was a later addition in English compared to other European languages, it still emerged during the Middle English period. The most recent color added was pink in the 18th century as a derivative of rose or red. But by the 1700s, all 11 basic English color terms were established.
Are These the Only Color Words?
Of course not! Beyond the basic 11, English has many descriptive color names. Some examples include:
- Crimson
- Navy
- Silver
- Aquamarine
- Magenta
- Turquoise
- Teal
- Indigo
- Maroon
- Olive
- Violet
- Chartreuse
New exotic color names are also being coined, like glacier, denim, buff, latte and moss. However, these very specific words are not considered basic color terms. They are supplementary, and their meanings can shift over time.
Why are the 11 Basic Colors Important?
Mastering these 11 words provides a flexible vocabulary for describing color and learning more nuanced hues. For example:
- Light vs dark shades (light green vs dark green)
- Primary vs secondary colors (red vs orange)
- Color mixing (blue + yellow = green)
- Relative warmth or coolness (blueish green vs yellowish green)
Having established basic color terms makes it easier to introduce more variety later. Think of the 11 words as primary colors, with more exotic descriptions adding shades and depth.
In addition, scientifically understanding how languages categorize color helps anthropologists understand differences in cultural perception. Various cultures and languages divide the color spectrum in their own way. So studying basic color words provides clues to the evolution of human cognition and semantics.
How are the 11 Basic Color Words Used?
In English, basic color words have many uses:
- Descriptions – “She wore a purple shirt” or “He has brown eyes.”
- Comparisons – “The sky is bluer today.”
- Figurative language – “She was green with envy.”
- Compound words – “Redhead,” “Yellowish,” “Blackbird”
- Color mixing – “Blue plus yellow makes green.”
- Shopping – “I’d like the pink iPhone case, please.”
Knowing these basic terms allows us to confidently discuss, identify and distinguish between colors in any situation. Without them, it becomes very tricky to describe visual details that are colored rather than purely black and white.
Conclusion
The 11 basic color words in English – black, white, red, green, yellow, blue, brown, orange, pink, purple and gray – have an ancient history dating back to Old English. They also represent a universal hierarchy or evolutionary pattern found in many diverse languages. Mastering these essential color terms provides a foundation for more nuanced color vocabulary and gives us the power to describe our visually colorful world.