Yellow Meaning

UK /ˈjɛl.əʊ/
US /ˈjɛl.oʊ/
Word Definition
yellow meaning

Yellow Definition & Usage

adjective

Of the color between green and orange in the visible spectrum, typically associated with the color of ripe lemons, sunflowers, or gold.

Examples

  • "She wore a bright yellow dress that stood out in the crowd."
  • "The walls of the kitchen were painted a soft, buttery yellow."
  • "The yellow autumn leaves covered the ground like a golden blanket."
  • "The yellow of the sunset bathed the room in a warm glow."
  • "His yellow sports car gleamed under the streetlights."
noun

The color yellow itself, as perceived in light or pigment.

Examples

  • "She loves the color yellow and fills her home with it."
  • "The room's yellow was a perfect match for the soft light streaming through the windows."
  • "He painted the walls in various shades of yellow to evoke a sense of calm."
  • "The artist used yellow to add vibrancy to the painting."
  • "My favorite color is yellow because it reminds me of sunshine."
verb

To become yellow or to be tinged with yellow, often used figuratively.

Examples

  • "The leaves yellowed quickly as the autumn chill set in."
  • "The old newspaper had yellowed with age."
  • "The pages of the book began to yellow after years of use."
  • "Her teeth started to yellow after years of smoking."
  • "The paper's corners had yellowed from sitting too long in the sun."
noun

A term used to describe someone who is easily frightened or cowardly, based on the association between yellow and caution or fear.

Examples

  • "Don't be such a yellow; just go and talk to her!"
  • "He was called a yellow when he refused to join the challenge."
  • "Stop acting yellow and face your fears!"
  • "It's not about being yellow, it's about being smart."
  • "The bully called him a yellow for not standing up to him."

Cultural Context

The color yellow has a rich cultural and symbolic history. In many cultures, yellow represents sunshine, happiness, and warmth. It can also symbolize caution or danger, as seen in yellow warning signs. In some contexts, yellow is associated with cowardice, a stereotype that dates back to medieval times.

The Yellow Envelope

Story

The Yellow Envelope

Tom had always been a little wary of surprises. So, when he saw the bright yellow envelope in his mailbox, his heart skipped a beat. 'What's this?' he wondered aloud, tearing it open carefully as if it might contain something explosive. Inside was a simple invitation to a dinner party. He sighed, relieved yet slightly embarrassed by his own overreaction. That evening, as he arrived at the host's house, the yellow theme became apparent. The decorations were all in cheerful shades of yellow—balloons, napkins, even the candles flickered a soft yellow light. The warmth of the color immediately lifted his spirits, and he found himself laughing with people he had only met that day. Everyone seemed to be drawn to the joyful energy that yellow exuded. Later in the night, Tom overheard a conversation between two of the guests. One of them had been called 'yellow' when he backed out of a dare. 'You're yellow,' a guy had teased, but the 'yellow' in this case wasn't about color—it was about cowardice. Tom smirked, remembering how he'd almost thought the yellow envelope was a threat. 'Funny,' he thought, 'I guess we all have our yellow moments.' As the evening wore on, Tom couldn't help but smile. The yellow of the party decorations, so often associated with happiness, had infused him with energy. Maybe it wasn't so bad to face your fears, after all. On the way home, he glanced at his car, a deep yellow in the dim streetlight. For the first time that evening, he didn't mind the color. Perhaps, just maybe, yellow was a reminder of how much he still had to learn about living boldly.

The Yellow Envelope