Yellow — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun verb /ˈye-(ˌ)lō/ yel·low

Meaning & Definition of Yellow

Yellow (adjective)

  1. of the color yellow
  2. become yellowish through age, disease, or discoloration, sallow
  3. having a light olive or light brown complexion

Yellow (noun)

  1. something yellow or marked by a yellow color
  2. a person having light olive or light brown skin
  3. the yolk of an egg

Yellow (verb)

  1. to become or turn yellow
  2. to make yellow, give a yellow tinge or color to

Yellow (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having or showing a shameful lack of courage

    "you'll come with us into the cave, unless you're yellow"

    similar: chicken, chicken-livered, chickenhearted, cowardly, craven, dastardly, gutless, lily-livered, milk-livered (archaic), poltroon, pusillanimous, recreant, spineless, unheroic
    related: diffident, fainthearted, fearful, timid, timorous, afraid, frightened, scared, careful, cautious, wary, bashful, coy, shy, feeble, soft, unmanly, weak
    opposite: brave, courageous, daring, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant, greathearted, gutsy, hardy, heroic, intrepid, lionhearted, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, valiant, valorous
    near: audacious, bold, brazen, cheeky, nervy, plucky, spirited, spunky, determined, resolute

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Yellow

The most common words with a similar meaning to Yellow:

Archaic: milk-livered
chicken, chicken-livered, chickenhearted, cowardly, craven, dastardly, gutless, lily-livered, poltroon, pusillanimous, recreant, spineless, unheroic

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Yellow

Words with the opposite meaning of Yellow:

brave, courageous, daring, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant, greathearted, gutsy, hardy, heroic, intrepid, lionhearted, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, valiant, valorous

Related Words for Yellow

diffident, fainthearted, fearful, timid, timorous, afraid, frightened, scared, careful, cautious, wary, bashful, coy, shy, feeble, soft, unmanly, weak

Near Antonyms of Yellow

audacious, bold, brazen, cheeky, nervy, plucky, spirited, spunky, determined, resolute

Word Forms of Yellow

Inflections: yellows, yellowed, yellowing

Derived words: yellowish (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Yellow

Middle English yelwe, yelow, from Old English geolu; akin to Old High German gelo yellow, Latin helvus light bay, Greek chlōros greenish yellow, Sanskrit hari yellowish

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Yellow

Words & Phrases Containing Yellow

yellow bile, yellow birch, yellow-dog, yellow-dog contract, yellow dwarf, yellow fever

Frequently Asked Questions about Yellow

What does "Yellow" mean?

"Yellow" means of the color yellow. As an an adjective, a noun and a verb, it is defined as: of the color yellow.

What is another word for "Yellow"?

Other words for "Yellow" include chicken, chicken-livered, chickenhearted, cowardly, craven, dastardly, gutless and lily-livered. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Yellow" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Yellow"?

There are 32 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Yellow". Common alternatives include chicken, chicken-livered, chickenhearted, cowardly, craven, dastardly, gutless, lily-livered, milk-livered and poltroon.

What is the opposite of "Yellow"?

Antonyms of "Yellow" include brave, courageous, daring, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant and greathearted. Near antonyms include audacious, bold, brazen and cheeky.

How do you use "Yellow" in a sentence?

Examples of "Yellow" in a sentence: "you'll come with us into the cave, unless you're yellow".

Is "Yellow" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Yellow" can be used as an adjective, a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Yellow" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Yellow" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Yellow"?

"Yellow" is pronounced /ˈye-(ˌ)lō/ and divided into syllables as yel·low.