dye

plural dyes · alternative die

1. countableuncountableA colorant, especially one that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is applied.

   While the yarn is soaking in its water and vinegar bath, I prepare a selection of dyes for my preferred colorway. Isolate each dye in its own jar and place it in the larger dyepot.

   2026, Katherine Augustine, “Dyeing in the Baking Aisle”, in Spin Off, volume L, number 1, page 35

2. countableuncountableAny hue or color.

present singular third person dyes · participle present dyeing · nonstandard participle present dying · participle past dyed · past dyed

1. ambitransitiveTo colour with dye, or as if with dye.

   You look different. Have you had your hair dyed?

   4 more examples

   But tho’ Black cannot be Dyed to the laſt perfection either in Wool or Hair without Woad, the Hatters have quite left off their accuſtomed uſe of it in the Dying of Hatts, and believe at the ſame time, that too ſtrong a Black makes the Hairs or Nap fall off, which is very neceſſary for the ſale and beauty of the Hatts, though this rather proceeds from the hand of the Workman that dreſſes them than in Dying them, or the Hairs not being ſufficiently fulled, or ſtrongly enough united to the felt; […]

   1705, anonymous translator, “Part. XI. Of the Dying of Thread, and Cloth made of Hemp, Flax or Cotten, with whatever is necessary to the perfection of Silk Dying, and the making and Dying of Hats.”, in The Whole Art of Dying. […], London: […] William Pearson, and sold by J[ohn] Nutt, […], →OCLC, section CCXLIX, page 300

   If indeed sharks were inclined to eat people, the world's oceans would be dyed crimson with the blood of millions.

   1983, Richard Ellis, The Book of Sharks, Knopf, →ISBN, page 164

   From there, customization simply becomes a matter of crafting trims at a smithing table, then dyeing them “using gems and ingots like diamonds, copper, and netherite.”

   2023 January 24, Brianna Reeves, “Minecraft 1.20 update to make major changes to netherite and gold”, in Dexerto

   I found this 4-500 Mesh Nylon Strainer Flour Sieve handy and budget-friendly, especially for those who dye often and want to keep solids out of their pots effortlessly.

   2025 August 12, Evelyn, “Creative Guide to Dyeing Clothes Naturally with Fruits and Vegetables at Home”, in DHgate.com, archived from the original on 30 Oct 2025

   Synonyms: tint, stain, shade, streak

plural dyce

1. archaicArchaic spelling of die (“a cube used in games of chance”).

   The Superficies was compoſed of ſeveral bits of Wood, about the bigneſs of a Dye, but ſome larger than others.

   1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Author Permitted to See the Grand Academy of Lagado. […]”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume II, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part III (A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Glubbdubdribb, Luggnagg, and Japan), page 72

   1 more example

   If a dye were marked with one figure or number of spots on four sides, and with another figure or number of spots on the two remaining sides, it would be more probable, that the former would turn up than the latter;

   1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral., London: Oxford University Press, published 1973, § 46

plural Dyes

1. countableuncountableA surname.
2. countableuncountableAn unincorporated community in Platte County, Missouri, United States.