multicolour

Multicolour is the property of comprising several distinct colors. It describes objects, patterns, or displays that use more than one hue. The term is common in British English; American English often uses multicolor or multicolored.

In textiles and design, multicolour schemes arise from various techniques such as dyeing, weaving, painting, or printing. In printing, multicolour images are produced by applying multiple color layers, typically using CMYK plus additional spot colors to achieve a broader range of hues and tones.

In nature, multicolour describes organisms with multiple colours on their bodies, often serving signaling, mating, or camouflage purposes. Examples include many birds, butterflies, reef fishes, and beetles. Iridescent or structurally coloured organisms can display shifting colours depending on light and viewing angle.

Culturally and commercially, multicolour conveys variety, richness, or playful appeal and is widely used in branding, fashion, and decoration. Reproducing true multicolour schemes across different media requires careful colour management to maintain consistency.

See also concepts such as color palette, color theory, and chromatic patterns, which relate to how multiple colours are chosen, arranged, and perceived.