magenta

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   A bright purplish-red color, like the ink used in some printers.

   Grammar: Used as a color name without 'a' or a plural: 'painted in magenta'.

   Patterns

   • in magenta
   • a shade of magenta

   She painted the bedroom walls a deep magenta.

   The team's new uniforms are magenta and black.

   Mix red and blue to get magenta.

2. 2adjectivenot comparable

   Having the bright purplish-red color called magenta.

   Grammar: Comes before a noun or after a linking verb: 'a magenta dress' / 'the dress is magenta'.

   Patterns

   • magenta something
   • be magenta

   He wore a magenta tie to the wedding.

   The sky turned magenta as the sun set.

   Those magenta flowers bloom only in spring.

3. 3noununcountabletechnical

   One of the four inks in a color printer, producing a purplish-red color.

   Grammar: Technical use in printing; often paired with cyan, yellow and black.

   Patterns

   • run out of magenta
   • print in magenta

   The printer says it is low on magenta.

   This chart should be printed in cyan, magenta and yellow.

Word forms

Common combinations

bright magenta

The poster uses bright magenta to grab attention.

deep magenta

The curtains were a deep magenta.

magenta ink

The magenta ink cartridge needs replacing.

turn magenta

The leaves turn magenta in the fall.

shade of magenta

This is a softer shade of magenta than I expected.

Synonyms and how they differ

fuchsia

A similar bright pinkish-purple, but usually more pink and vivid than magenta.

purple

A much broader color term; magenta is a specific purplish-red, while purple covers many shades.

crimson

A deep red with a hint of blue, but less purple than magenta.

Word family

magenta adjective

The color used to describe something.

Commonly confused: magenta or magneta?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “magenta”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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