colorful

adj

Etymology: From color + -ful.

1. Possessing prominent and varied colors.

   “It was a colourful vase with red and white hoops on the lid, and red bands above and below the main frieze. These bands also carry a metope pattern in white of triple lines and blobs, which can just be distinguished on the photographs.”

   “[Sen. John Curtis] gives colorful socks to other lawmakers on their birthdays.”

2. Interesting, multifaceted, energetic, distinctive.

   “One of the most colourful people in motor racing, he writes in a colourful manner.”

3. Profane, obscene, offensive (usually in the phrase colourful language).

   “Hussain celebrated reaching his ton with a gesture towards the media centre, pointing to the number three on the back of his shirt and offering some colourful language.”