drained of color

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'drained of color' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase in a sentence to express a feeling of something having faded, lost vibrancy, or having had its vitality taken away. For example, "My optimism was drained of color after failing the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The superhero, fantasy and action genres were drained of color.

The New York Times

"I don't know what is happening," the commander said, his face drained of color.

The New York Times

At times, the actors look unworldly, like specters in a dreamscape drained of color.

The New York Times - Magazine

The broken city is all brown and gray muck; the soldiers are unshaven and pale; the corpses drained of color.

The New Yorker

One of the paintings stands out because it is drained of color, reminiscent of the stark palette of Guernica.

The New York Times

They are drawn on replicas of two-page sheets from The New York Times of Sept. 12, 2001, which have, appropriately, been drained of color.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Not long after the court cases, she said, Assange's hair, which had been dark brown, became drained of all color.

The New Yorker

It's also often beautiful, washed in gray and so drained of other color that at first it looks as if it's in black and white.

The New York Times

I don't know when this started or when it ended, but when I regained consciousness I was in a world of ice, an eternal winter drained of all color, closed in alone.

The New Yorker

Entire segments of ordinary life are drained of the color and flavor that we have come to expect: advertising, for instance, is reduced from a blaze of slogans and jingles to one sallow guy on TV, holding a can and a glass and saying, "I'm asking you to not stop buying Coke".

The New Yorker

"The new video and stills are very concerning and show large sections of coral drained of all color and fighting for survival," WWF spokesperson Richard Leck said in a statement. .

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drained of color" to vividly describe a loss of vitality or vibrancy, whether in a physical object, a person's appearance, or an environment. This is particularly useful in creative writing or descriptive journalism where evoking a sense of loss or decay is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "drained of color" in technical contexts where more precise terminology (e.g., "desaturated", "grayscale") would be more appropriate. This phrase is best suited for descriptive or figurative language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drained of color" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate a lack of vibrancy or paleness. Ludwig examples show its use in describing faces, landscapes, and even artistic works.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "drained of color" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that describes something lacking vibrancy or appearing pale. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to evoke feelings of loss or depletion, suitable for neutral to slightly formal communication. When using the phrase, be mindful of its descriptive nature and avoid overuse in technical contexts where more precise terminology may be preferred. Related phrases such as "lacking color", "devoid of color", and "colorless" offer alternative ways to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking color

This alternative directly replaces "drained of" with "lacking", maintaining a similar meaning of absence.

devoid of color

This alternative replaces "drained of" with "devoid of", indicating a complete absence of color.

colorless

This alternative is a single-word adjective describing the state of lacking color.

without color

This alternative uses a prepositional phrase to indicate the absence of color.

pale

This alternative suggests a reduced intensity of color, often associated with illness or fear.

washed out

This alternative implies that the color has faded or been diluted, making something appear weak or faint.

desaturated

This alternative, common in digital imaging, describes a reduction in color intensity.

leached of color

This alternative suggests that color has been gradually removed from something.

bleached

This alternative describes something that has had its color removed, often by a chemical process or sunlight.

faded

This alternative suggests that the color has gradually disappeared over time.

FAQs

How can I use "drained of color" in a sentence?

You can use "drained of color" to describe something that has lost its vibrancy or appears pale. For example, "After the long illness, his face was "drained of color"".

What can I say instead of "drained of color"?

You can use alternatives like "lacking color", "devoid of color", or "colorless" depending on the context.

Is "drained of color" a figurative expression?

Yes, "drained of color" is often used figuratively to describe not just a literal absence of color, but also a loss of vitality, energy, or emotional intensity.

Which is more appropriate, "drained of color" or "stripped of color"?

Both "drained of color" and "stripped of color" can be appropriate. "Drained of color" suggests a gradual loss, while "stripped of color" implies a more forceful or deliberate removal.