nearwhite

Nearwhite is a term used in color discussion to describe colors that are extremely close to white. It denotes a category of light, desaturated hues that read as near-white in many contexts, typically characterized by very high lightness and minimal chroma. The term is colloquial rather than a formal color specification.

Derived from near and white, nearwhite arose in design and fashion discourse to distinguish colors that are not pure white but appear nearly so under common lighting. Because white perception depends on lighting and surrounding colors, nearwhite can vary across environments.

Common examples in design include ivory, eggshell, milk glass, pearl, and alabaster, which may carry warm or cool undertones. In digital color spaces, nearwhite is produced by values near the endpoint of lightness with minimal saturation; practical palettes often label these hues as near-white rather than true white to convey a subtle tint.

Use of nearwhite in branding or interiors aims to soften the starkness of pure white, creating a calm or sophisticated ambiance. However, lack of a standardized definition can lead to inconsistency across manufacturers and projects; designers typically specify exact color names or codes rather than relying on nearwhite alone.

See also: off-white, ivory, warm white, cool white, color theory.