Pigments

Colored substances used to impart color to materials.

colorants colored powders

Pigments are colored substances used to impart color to materials such as paint, ink, and fabric. They can be natural or synthetic and are typically insoluble particles that are suspended in a medium.

Etymology

The word 'pigment' comes from the Latin 'pingere,' meaning 'to paint.'

Explain Like I’m 5

Pigments are like natural or made-up color powders that artists and industries use to make things colorful, such as paints, clothes, or even food.

Fun Facts

Ancient Egyptians used ochre pigments for cave paintings
Ultramarine pigment was historically made from lapis lazuli, a rare blue stone
Some pigments change color depending on the pH of their environment

FAQ

What are pigments? Substances that impart color to a material
Where are pigments found? In nature, such as plants and minerals
also created synthetically
What is a pigment's function? To add color to materials

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

colorant dye

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

azo pigments inorganic pigment organic pigment

Holonyms — Wholes or Groups

paint ink fabric

Indexes

artistic process chemical substance color

Built by Tim Jones