jarring color

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "jarring color" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a color that is strikingly or shockingly different from its surroundings, often in a way that is unpleasant or disruptive. Example: "The room was painted in a jarring color that clashed with the furniture, making it hard to relax."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Jarring color contrasts.

The New York Times - Style

Many orchids are strange-looking, and others have bizarre shapes and jarring color combinations, and all orchids are rather ugly when they aren't in flower.

The New Yorker

Both portray stabbings -- the murder of Bruce Pecheur, an actor, and Norman Mailer's attack on his second wife -- using fragmentation, distortion and jarring color to convey violent passions.

The New York Times

But at the same time, we have countless adverts that are flamboyant, sickly sweet, and just hyperbolic all around, often with jarring color combinations and tragic abuse of effect filters.

The New Yorker

As the story goes, in its most romanticized version, Ms. Pulitzer's fashion empire, famous for its tropical print shift dresses and lighthearted embrace of jarring color combinations like flamingo pink and apple green, was born out of necessity.

The New York Times

The maniacally grinning furniture and appliances, the frenetic wall d?r, the jarring color scheme and off-kilter angles conjure a Memphis-era cocktail lounge where all of the drinks come laced with acid.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Some effects are corny, but some — like the sepia-inspired Early Bird filter or the soft-color Toaster — work wonders at removing the often harsh lighting and jarring colors of cellphone photos.

The New York Times - Tech

The house, from 1807, is a finely proportioned three-story ocher-painted mansion — and the outbuildings shout to be copied in your own backyard — but the curators have chosen to rip out much of the old carpets and wallpaper and replace some with replicas in jarring colors.

The New York Times - Travel

Indeed, Ms. Cullman, who designed a den of indulgences like chocolate-filled fake books and photographs of smoke rings on the walls, said that she had several meetings with Sandra Nunnerley, who designed the connecting kitchen, in order to ensure that they didn't use jarring colors.

The New York Times

There are a number of larger oil paintings, too, from "The Studio" (1950), a crisp medley of large and small geometric shapes in sunny yellows, greens and reds inflected by a recognizable shape or two, to "Orchestral Dominance in Green" (1954), a dissonance of small, packed-together modules in jarring colors played off against larger, more coherent shapes on a big green field.

The New York Times - Arts

The dappled shade of tall oaks softened their jarring colors; no electric pruners had ruined their naturally graceful shape.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing visual art or design, use "jarring color" to emphasize a deliberate and potentially unsettling aesthetic choice.

Common error

Avoid using "jarring color" when simply describing a bold or vibrant color scheme; reserve it for instances where the color choice creates a sense of unease or conflict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "jarring color" functions primarily as a descriptive element. It combines an adjective ("jarring") with a noun ("color") to vividly depict a hue that is discordant or visually unsettling. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, indicating its effectiveness in conveying a sense of unease or disharmony.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "jarring color" is a grammatically sound and effective phrase used to describe a color that is visually discordant or unsettling. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its usage spans various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as wiki content. While not exceedingly common, it serves a specific communicative purpose of evoking a sense of unease or disharmony. When using this phrase, consider its impact on the audience and ensure it aligns with the intended tone and message. If you want to convey the same meaning, consider alternative expressions such as "clashing color", "discordant hue" or "unharmonious color".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clashing color

Focuses on the disharmony between colors.

discordant hue

Emphasizes the lack of harmony in the specific shade.

unharmonious color

Highlights the absence of visual agreement.

unpleasant color

Indicates that the color is displeasing or unattractive.

garish color

Stresses the excessive brightness and tastelessly showy nature of the color.

offensive color

Suggests the color is strongly disagreeable or causes displeasure.

visually disturbing color

Highlights the unsettling effect of the color.

abrasive color

Implies the color is harsh and grating to the eyes.

grating color

Indicates the color is irritating and unpleasant.

clashing combination of colors

Highlights when it's not just the single color but the combination of multiple colors that are clashing.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "jarring color" in a sentence?

Use "jarring color" to describe a color that is strikingly or shockingly out of place, often creating an unpleasant or disturbing effect. For example, "The walls were painted a "jarring color" of neon green that clashed with the antique furniture".

What are some synonyms for "jarring color"?

Alternatives to "jarring color" include "clashing color", "discordant hue", or "unharmonious color", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "jarring color" in formal writing?

Yes, "jarring color" is appropriate for formal writing when accurately describing a color that is visually discordant or unsettling. However, consider the audience and context to ensure it's the most effective choice.

What makes a color "jarring" as opposed to simply "bright" or "bold"?

A "jarring" color isn't just bright or bold; it's a color that feels out of place or creates a sense of visual conflict due to its unexpectedness or incompatibility with its surroundings. This contrasts with colors that are merely vibrant or attention-grabbing.