färglös

Färglös is a Swedish adjective that describes something lacking color or appearing colorless. In everyday language it can refer to objects without hue, or to substances that do not impart color to light in the visible spectrum. In scientific contexts, colorlessness is a property used to characterize materials, often related to how they absorb or transmit light.

Etymology: derived from färg, meaning color, and the suffix -lös meaning without. The term has long-standing use in Swedish and is sometimes used metaphorically to describe bland or unremarkable features in people, places, or situations.

Scientific usage: In chemistry and physics, a colorless substance does not absorb visible light; many liquids and gases are colorless. Examples include water and most common gases. Colorlessness does not imply transparency in all cases, but it often accompanies it. In biology and materials science, the term describes substances or components that do not produce color in visible light.

Cultural usage: Metaphorically, färglöst can describe a life or person perceived as dull or lacking distinctive characteristics. The term appears in literature and journalism as a way to critique monotony or conformity.

Related terms include färg, färgläggning, färgämne, and färglöshet.