clashing colors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clashing colors" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe colors that do not harmonize well together, often creating a jarring or discordant visual effect. Example: "The artist chose clashing colors for the painting to evoke a sense of chaos and tension."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Ordinarily they are dressed in shots of clashing colors, their faces hidden behind bright balaclavas.

The New York Times

They want their form-fitting flower print outfits loaded with clashing colors.

The New York Times

In clashing colors, all illuminate the mind and dazzle the eye.

The New York Times

Frida Giannini of Gucci updated the label's traditional floral prints, presenting mismatched jackets, silk scarves and pants in clashing colors.

The New York Times

Clashing colors play off of oddly angled walls and disconnected stairways, making the building's interior look like something M.C.

The New York Times

Break the rules: put clashing colors side by side, and do away with shadings and gradations of light and color.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

I could have lived with the clashing color or added another flower to mediate, but the yarrow grew larger than expected, crowding the spirea.

The New York Times

According to a person who had been briefed on the matter, the cabinets had already been purchased and installed inside the foundation, at 78th Street and Madison Avenue, when a case of buyer's remorse (or clashing color schemes) set in.

The New York Times

If the show hummed with a '70s undercurrent with its clashing color palette, bulky patchwork kidassia jackets and handicraft feel of appliqué on pants, it didn't have the youthful irreverence of that era.

The New York Times

Smaller bows can be worn in numbers for the decora types, or one in a clashing color to your hair looks awesome.

WikiHow

But don't clash colors.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing visual aesthetics, use "clashing colors" to effectively convey a sense of disharmony or intentional contrast. For example, in fashion or art criticism, it can highlight a bold or unconventional choice.

Common error

While "clashing colors" is widely understood, avoid overuse in formal writing where a more nuanced term like "contrasting hues" might be more appropriate, especially when describing art or design elements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clashing colors" functions as a descriptive term, primarily acting as an adjective modifying a noun. It describes a set of colors that are visually discordant or unharmonious. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Arts

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clashing colors" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe visually discordant or unharmonious color combinations. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While generally neutral, it's best to consider the context: more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "contrasting colors". Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, the phrase serves to communicate a sense of aesthetic conflict and it should be used when you aim at describing some form of disharmony of colours.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

colors that clash

A more verbose way of expressing the same concept.

discordant colors

Emphasizes the lack of harmony and unpleasant visual effect of the color combination.

colors that don't go together

A more informal way of saying the colors clash.

contrasting colors

Highlights the opposition between the colors, without necessarily implying a negative effect.

incompatible colors

Suggests that the colors do not work well together aesthetically.

unharmonious colors

Directly states the lack of harmony in the color pairing.

jarring colors

Conveys a strong sense of visual disturbance caused by the colors.

poorly matched colors

Indicates that the colors have been badly chosen to pair together.

colors in conflict

Uses stronger wording to convey the opposition between the colours.

visually offensive colors

Suggests that the color combination is unpleasant to look at.

FAQs

How can I use "clashing colors" in a sentence?

You can use "clashing colors" to describe outfits, designs, or artwork where the colors used don't typically harmonize. For example, "The painting featured a bold combination of "discordant colors"."

What is a more formal alternative to "clashing colors"?

In more formal contexts, consider using terms like "contrasting colors" or "incompatible colors" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it always negative to use "clashing colors"?

Not necessarily. While "clashing colors" often implies disharmony, it can also describe intentional design choices to create a bold or edgy effect. It depends on the context and artistic intent.

Which is correct, "clashing colors" or "colors that clash"?

Both "clashing colors" and "colors that clash" are correct. "Clashing colors" is more concise and commonly used as an adjective phrase.