discolour

discolour — verb

1. when a surface, material, or object discolours, or when something discolours it,

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

when a surface, material, or object discolours, or when something discolours it, the original colour changes to a less attractive shade because of wear, sunlight, heat, or chemical exposure

例句

Daichi noticed that the old poster had discoloured badly behind the glass frame.

intransitive: material + had discoloured + adverbial (badly / location)

Leaving the kitchen knife in salt water will discolour the blade within a few hours.

transitive: [exposure] + will discolour + [object]

同義詞
  • fade

    focuses on gradual loss of colour, especially from light exposure; more neutral in tone than discolour

  • tarnish

    limited to metal surfaces, especially oxidation of silver or brass

  • stain

    colour change caused by an external substance (ink, food, dirt) penetrating the surface

  • yellow

    a specific type of discolouration where paper, plastic, or fabric turns yellow with age

反義詞
  • preserve

    to keep the original colour from changing

  • restore

    to bring back the original colour after it has been lost

文法句型

discolour

discolour + noun phrase

be discoloured by + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often used in the passive (be / get discoloured) when describing a result rather than a cause. The agent is typically introduced by from, not by: 'discoloured from sunlight' NOT 'discoloured by sunlight'. Do not use this word for natural or seasonal colour changes such as leaves turning in autumn — discolour always implies that the change is unwanted or unattractive.

常見錯誤

❌The leaves discoloured beautifully in autumn.
✅The leaves changed colour beautifully in autumn.
💡discolour always carries a negative meaning; it is not a neutral word for colour change.
❌The photo was discoloured by the sun.
✅The photo was discoloured from the sun.
💡with passive, the cause is best introduced by from, not by.