colouration

Everyday

1. Colouration is the pattern and mix of colours on an animal or plant, such as the stripes of a tiger or the spots on a ladybird. tree →
2. Colouration can mean the way something is coloured in general, including a slight colour or tint. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about adaptation, colouration helps animals survive: camouflage colouration hides them (a stick insect, a snowy owl), and warning colouration tells predators «I am poisonous» (a poison dart frog, a wasp's yellow and black). Some animals copy the warning colours of others (mimicry). Phrases: warning colouration, camouflage colouration, bright colouration, protective colouration.

Examples

• The snake's bright colouration warns birds to stay away. tree →
• The moth's colouration matches the tree bark. tree →
• Male birds often have brighter colouration than females. tree →
• The frog's colouration changes as it grows. tree →
• Warning colouration is common in poisonous animals. tree →
• The leaf's colouration turned red and gold in autumn. tree →
• Scientists studied the colouration of the butterflies' wings. tree →
• The fish's colouration helps it hide among the coral. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «Its colouration is green», not «a colouration» in most cases. UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ and Canada usually spell it «colouration» (with u); the US spells it «coloration». Pronounced «kul-uh-RAY-shun». A more formal, science word for «colours and pattern». Related: colour, colourful, discoloured.