tricolor

"Tricolor" means "having three colors." Think of the French flag: blue, white, and red. That is a classic example. But the word is not only used for flags. You might use it for a cat with black, white, and orange fur, or for a dog such as a Beagle with a coat in three colors. It usually suggests that the three colors are clear and noticeable. The word comes from the Latin tri- (three) and color (color).

The word "tricolor" describes something that has three colors. You may see it in everyday life more often than you expect. It is most famous in connection with national flags, such as the French flag (le drapeau tricolore), the Irish flag, or the Indian flag, where a set of three colors carries symbolic meaning. In this context, "tricolor" can also be used as a noun to mean the flag itself.

However, "tricolor" is not limited to flags. It can describe anything that shows three distinct colors. In animals, a calico cat or a Pembroke Welsh Corgi may be described as tricolor because of its coat pattern. In gardening, the word can name plants that are known for leaves or petals in three colors, such as the tricolor beech or some kinds of roses.

The term is also used in art and design for a three-color pattern or scheme. It often suggests that the colors were chosen on purpose to create a strong visual effect. So when you see something with three clear colors working together, you are probably looking at something tricolor.