yellow

1. yellow (noun) — sense 1

Definition: The color of sunflower petals and lemons; the color obtained by mixing green and red light, or by subtracting blue from white light; the color evoked by light of wavelength around 580 nm; one of the three primary colors in subtractive color systems.

Example: It is the strangest yellow, that wall-paper! It makes me think of all the yellow things I ever saw—not beautiful ones like buttercups, but old foul, bad yellow things.

2. yellow (noun) — sense 2

Definition: The middle light in a set of three traffic lights, the lighting of which indicates that drivers should stop short of the intersection if it is safe to do so.

3. yellow (noun) — sense 3

Definition: One of the color balls used in snooker, with a value of 2 points.

4. yellow (adj) — sense 4

Definition: Of a yellow hue.

Example: He had a yellow laptop in his bag.

5. yellow (adj) — sense 5

Definition: Lacking courage.

Example: What you should be is not yellow at all. If you're supposed to sock somebody in the jaw, and you sort of feel like doing it, you should do it.

6. yellow (adj) — sense 6

Definition: Characterized by sensationalism, lurid content, and doubtful accuracy.

Example: The denizens of the gossipy world of the pink press, purple prose and yellow tabloids are shivering over disputed photographs of Princess Caroline of Monaco.

7. yellow (verb) — sense 7

Definition: To become yellow or yellower.

Example: Then suddenly, with the least warning, the sky yellows and the Chergui blows in from the Sahara, stinging the eyes and choking with its sandy, sticky breath.

8. yellow (verb) — sense 8

Definition: To make (something) yellow or yellower.

9. yellow (verb) — sense 9

Definition: To promote (a captain) to flag rank without command of a squadron, ending his career; to make him a yellow admiral.

Example: Then they might yellow him if they wanted to; he would be satisfied with Admiral’s rank.