gray

Gray is a color perceived when light is reflected in a way that is neither clearly black nor white. In English, gray is the American spelling; grey is the variant used in British English and many other varieties. The word derives from the Old English græg, from Proto-Germanic roots, and has long described tones ranging from ash to soot.

In color science, gray is an achromatic color produced by mixing white with black in varying proportions. On digital screens, gray arises from balanced red, green, and blue light; in painting, it results from adding black to white or combining pigments. Variants include light gray, dark gray, warm gray (with brown, red, or yellow undertones) and cool gray (with blue undertones). Gray has luminance but no hue.

The tone is commonly used to convey neutrality, balance, and sophistication. In design and typography, gray supports readability and restraint; it can soften bright colors or serve as a modern alternative to black. Culturally, gray is associated with formality, pragmatism, and conservatism, though its connotations vary by context and saturation.

Beyond color, Gray is a common English surname and place name, often originating from a person’s hair color or a grayish feature of the landscape. As a surname, it appears across English-speaking countries and in various media.

See also Grey; Gray (surname).