Definition of yellow

Short definition: The word yellow refers to the bright color of lemons, sunflowers, or gold. Yellow is the color between green and orange in the spectrum, often associated with happiness or caution.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the word yellow? The word yellow is simple, but it carries many different feelings. People think of sunshine, flowers, and happiness when they hear it, but the same word can also describe fear, jealousy, or even warning signs. In everyday life, yellow appears in colors, emotions, and expressions that shape how we see the world. Below, each meaning is explained in a relaxed and natural way, with explanations that feel human instead of stiff like a textbook.

Adjective forms: yellow, yellower, yellowest
Verb forms: yellow, yellows, yellowing, yellowed
Related: yellowish adj., yellowness n.
Syllable: yel-low

1. The bright color of the sun, lemons, and sunflowers.

   In its most basic meaning, yellow is the color people often connect with light and warmth. It reminds us of sunny days, fresh flowers, and cheerful moments. Because of this, yellow is commonly used to make places feel more lively and positive.

   She painted her room yellow to make it feel brighter and happier.
   The children ran through the field filled with yellow flowers.
   He chose a yellow jacket so people could spot him easily in the crowd.

   Synonyms: golden, sunny-colored, bright yellow, lemon-colored, sunshine shade, warm color, light yellow, cheerful color, gold-toned, bright shade, sunlit color, vivid yellow
   Antonyms: dark color, black, deep blue, gloomy shade, dull color, gray, shadowy tone, dark-toned, muted color, colorless shade, dim color, pale gray

2. A symbol of happiness, energy, and positivity.

   Beyond being just a color, yellow often stands for joy and energy. People use it to describe moods that feel bright, hopeful, and full of life. When someone says a day feels “yellow,” they usually mean it feels cheerful and warm.

   Her smile brought a yellow feeling into the room.
   The decorations made the party feel bright and yellow.
   He said her laughter always added a little yellow to his day.

   Synonyms: cheerful, sunny, bright, joyful, lively, warm-hearted, happy-toned, positive, light-filled, energetic, glowing, uplifting
   Antonyms: gloomy, dark, sad, depressing, dull, cold-hearted, negative, lifeless, gray-toned, unhappy, downbeat, heavy

3. Used to describe fear or lack of courage.

   In informal language, yellow can describe someone who feels scared or lacks courage. This meaning is common in movies and stories, especially when characters tease each other for being afraid to take risks.

   He didn’t join the challenge because he felt too yellow.
   His friends joked that he was yellow, but they knew he just needed more confidence.
   She didn’t want to be called yellow, so she finally faced her fear.

   Synonyms: cowardly, afraid, timid, scared, fearful, nervous, lacking courage, hesitant, shy, uneasy, weak-hearted, faint-hearted
   Antonyms: brave, fearless, bold, confident, courageous, daring, strong-hearted, heroic, gutsy, fearless-minded, determined, tough

4. A color often used for warning and attention.

   Yellow is widely used in signs and signals because it catches the eye quickly. From traffic lights to caution signs, yellow tells people to slow down, be careful, or pay attention.

   The yellow light warned drivers to prepare to stop.
   The worker wore a yellow vest so everyone could see him clearly.
   The sign was painted yellow to make the warning impossible to miss.

   Synonyms: caution color, warning shade, alert color, safety color, attention signal, hazard color, bright warning tone, safety shade, signal color, notice color, alert tone, caution shade
   Antonyms: calm color, neutral shade, invisible tone, hidden color, quiet signal, unnoticed color, dull tone, background shade, muted signal, soft color, low-visibility tone, subtle shade

5. To become yellow in color.

   As a verb, yellow means to turn yellow over time. Leaves yellow in autumn, old paper yellows with age, and even teeth can yellow slowly. It describes a natural change in color.

   The pages yellowed after years in the sun.
   The leaves began to yellow as autumn arrived.
   Time slowly yellowed the once-bright curtains.

   Synonyms: turn yellow, fade to yellow, discolor, age in color, change shade, become golden, lose brightness, grow yellowish, warm in tone, shift color, mellow in color, tint yellow
   Antonyms: stay bright, remain white, keep color, stay fresh-looking, brighten, lighten, stay clear, stay pale, remain unchanged, keep original shade, stay vivid, stay new