Hue

A hue is a specific shade of a color, distinguished from other shades by its particular wavelength or its position on the color spectrum. It describes the pure color itself, without considering its lightness (value) or saturation (intensity). Hues are often classified by their position in the color wheel: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet, including intermediate shades between them. A hue can be vibrant, muted, warm, or cool, but it fundamentally represents the base color characteristic.

Hue meaning with examples

• The artist carefully mixed pigments to achieve the desired hue of cerulean blue for the ocean in her painting. She wanted a cool, calming hue that reflected the depth and serenity of the sea. This particular hue of blue perfectly complemented the warm tones of the sand, creating a beautiful contrast. The painting's success hinged on capturing the perfect hue.
• The sunset displayed a breathtaking range of hues, starting with a deep crimson, transitioning through fiery oranges, and fading into soft pinks. Each hue blended seamlessly into the next, creating a visually stunning display. The observer could identify the specific hue as a blend of orange and pink at one moment. The ephemeral nature of the hues made the scene even more magical.
• When dyeing the fabric, the tailor experimented with different dye concentrations to adjust the hue of the cloth. They started with a pale, pastel hue and gradually increased the concentration to reach a richer, more saturated hue. Achieving the ideal hue required careful measurement and experimentation. The ultimate goal was to achieve the client's desired hue for the wedding dress.
• The detective focused on identifying the hue of the suspect's car, as this was key to his investigation. The witness described the vehicle as having an unusual, metallic hue of green, a detail that helped narrow down the possible vehicles. Focusing on the exact hue helped the detective filter out other colors. This small detail eventually helped catch the criminal.