If you’ve ever found yourself bored of using the same old colors to describe things, today’s post on rare colors is for you.
When I say “rare,” I generally mean words that aren’t used in everyday conversation.
The rare color words in this list can be used to describe all sorts of things, not just rooms and objects.
How you use them is entirely up to you, but I do provide etymology hints, as well as a few pointers at the end of this post.
UPDATE 11/26/25: I’ve moved the rare metallic color terms into their own section and added a few new ones to the list! I also snuck in a new bit of trivia at the end of this post.
About this list of rare color terms
For ease of browsing, I’ve grouped the rare colors in this list by color category. Some colors might fall into more than one category (e.g. shades of reddish-orange could be either red or orange).
In such cases, I just picked whatever seemed most appropriate.
As for the rarity of the terms in this list, I simply tried to select a variety of interesting color words. If you’re well-read or do a lot of design work with color palettes, you may find that you already know several of the terms listed.
However, I did my best to include a few particularly rare items, as well. And don’t forget to check out the FAQ (trivia) at the end of this post. Enjoy!
Rare red colors
Red color meanings
Red colors often symbolize power, passion, energy, and intensity. In Western cultures, red signifies love and danger, while in many Asian cultures, it represents good fortune and joy, especially during festivals.
Rare shades of red
Here are some rare red color names to know:
- amaranth – reddish-rose or reddish-purple color, named after the flower of the amaranth plant
- cardinal – vivid red, like the bird
- carmine – deep red, though some varieties may include a tiny bit of purple
- cinabrese – pale reddish-orange, after a flesh-colored pigment used by Italian Renaissance painters
- cinnabar – see vermillion below (and link to etymology)
- coquelicot – bright red, named after a French word for poppy
- crimson – deep, rich red with a hint of blue, often associated with royalty and luxury
- sorrel – reddish-brown, from horses of that color
- stammel – wine red, named after a coarse cloth used for medieval undergarments
- titian – reddish-brown, named after a Renaissance painter
- vermillion – bright red, sometimes slightly orange
Rare orange colors
Orange color meanings
Orange colors are typically associated with warmth, creativity, and enthusiasm. In Eastern cultures, orange is linked with spirituality and transformation, often seen in robes of Buddhist monks. In Western cultures, it can symbolize adventure and social communication.
Rare shades of orange
Here are some rare orange color names to know:
- amber – golden yellow-orange, named after fossilized tree sap, which is used to make jewelry
- fawn – pale shade of yellowish-brown or dark orange, both of which are found on the spotted coat of fawns (young deer)
- gamboge – yellow-orange used to dye Buddhist monks’ robes, named after the tree most commonly tapped to make the pigment
- jacinthe – vivid yellowish-orange, from a French name for hyacinth
- madder – orange-red, named after the plant used to make the dye (from its root)
- mahogany – golden-red or reddish-brown, named after mahogany wood; when referring to paints, mahogany is often a very dark reddish-brown
- nacarat – bright orange, sometimes with a reddish tint
- persimmon – bright orange, after the persimmon fruit
- sinopia – reddish-orange or reddish-brown, “red earth” or “red ochre” color used in Classical Antiquity through the Renaissance; fairly synonymous with the pigment known as Venetian red
- tangelo – bold orange, named after the fruit (a hybrid between orange and tangerine)
Rare yellow colors
Yellow color meanings
Yellow colors generally represent happiness, intellect, and energy. Universally, yellow is associated with sunlight and cheerfulness. In many Asian cultures, yellow holds a special place, symbolizing royalty and prosperity. In Western cultures, it can also signify caution and cowardice.
Rare shades of yellow and gold
Here are some rare yellow color names to know:
- aureolin – medium yellow, named after a pigment similar to canary yellow
- champagne – pale yellow, after the bubbly drink
- citron – dark yellow, named after the fruit
- fulvous – brownish-yellow, see also tawny below
- jonquil – golden-yellow, after the flower (a species of daffodil)
- ochre – yellow-brown, but see this page for other varieties, e.g. “red ochre”
- saffron – yellow-orange, named after the spice
- sarcoline – pale yellow-beige color used to describe some lighter skin tones; comes from the Greek word “sarx,” meaning flesh or meat
- tawny – brownish-yellow, usually, but see this list for other possibilities
Rare green colors
Green color meanings
Green colors often symbolize nature, growth, and harmony. In many cultures, green is associated with renewal and life. In Irish culture, it is connected with national pride and the lush landscape. In Islamic culture, green is a sacred color, symbolizing paradise and spiritual growth.
Rare shades of green
Here are some rare green color names to know:
- celadon – pale green or gray-green, like the pottery
- chartreuse – yellowish-green, like the French liqueur
- kombu – dark green, the Japanese name for edible kelp
- lovat – grayish-green used in woolen textiles
- paris green – blue-green to deep green, after a toxic inorganic powder used as a pigment and insecticide
- sage – gray-green or silver-green, like the plant
- skobeloff – rich, bluish-green color with a hint of darkness
- smaragdine – deep green, after the Latin word for “emerald”
- tilleul – pale yellowish-green, named after the lime tree
- viridian – blue-green
Rare blue colors
Blue color meanings
Blue colors typically evoke calmness, trust, and serenity. In Western cultures, blue symbolizes stability and depth, often associated with the sky and sea. In many cultures, blue represents tranquility and is used in healing rituals. In Hinduism, blue is the color of Krishna, symbolizing divine love and joy.
Rare shades of blue
Here are some rare blue color names to know:
- azure – deep, sky-blue color
- celeste – sky blue
- cerulean – similar to azure but a little lighter (thank you, Crayola)
- cornflower – medium-to-light blue, named after the flower
- glaucous – hazy, grayish-blue, like the foggy sheen on plums and grapes
- indigo – deep purplish-blue, named after the plant used to make dye
- mazarine – deep blue color used in textiles and ceramics
- phthalo – blue-green, from the family of synthetic pigments made from copper phthalocyanine
- ultramarine – intense blue
- YInMn Blue – intense, near-perfect blue with IR reflective properties, discovered in 2009
- zaffre – deep cobalt blue, from the Persian word “zāfira,” which means “sapphire”
If the science behind the color blue intrigues you, definitely check out the FAQs at the end of this post!
Rare purple colors
Purple color meanings
Purple colors are often linked to royalty, luxury, and spirituality. Historically, purple dye was expensive and reserved for nobility. In Western cultures, it signifies power and wealth. In Eastern cultures, purple can represent spirituality and meditation, often associated with wisdom and enlightenment.
Rare shades of purple
Here are some rare purple color names to know:
- aubergine – dark purple, another word for eggplant
- byzantium – a rich, dark purple with a hint of red, named after the ancient city
- claret – dark reddish-purple, like the wine
- heliotrope – a vibrant purple with pinkish undertones, named after the flower
- lilac – pale blueish-purple, named after the flower
- mauve – grayish-purple
- mulberry – a vibrant reddish-purple, named after the fruit
- orchid – a medium to light purple with pink and blue undertones, named after the flower
- periwinkle – a soft, pastel purple with a bluish tint, named after the flower
- puce – brownish-purple
- thistle – a light purple with a slight grayish tone, named after the flower
- tyrian – deep reddish-purple that originated in ancient Phoenicia
- ultraviolet – intense blueish-purple
- wisteria – a light to medium purple, named after the flowering plant
If you’re wondering why so many shades of purple are named after flowers, check out the FAQs at the end of this post!
Rare black colors
Black color meanings
Black colors typically symbolize elegance, mystery, and sophistication. In Western cultures, black is often associated with formality and mourning. In many African cultures, black signifies maturity and age, often representing the wisdom of ancestors. In Japanese culture, black can symbolize nobility and experience.
Rare shades of black
Here are some rare black color names to know:
- coal – matte black, like coal
- corbeau – black with green or blue, from the color of crows (corvids)
- ebony – black with olive undertones, named after a dense type of ornamental wood
- ink – a dark, intense black, often with a bluish undertone, reminiscent of black ink used in writing or printing
- jet – a deep, pure black, named after the lignite mineral used in jewelry, which is a precursor to coal
- obsidian – black, sometimes with purple undertones, named after the igneous rock
- onyx – deep black, named after the gemstone, a form of chalcedony
- piceous – glossy brownish-black, resembling pitch (pitch is also used as a color)
- sable – black used in heraldry, may have some brown, like a sable’s pelt
- Vantablack – an extremely dark black, known as one of the darkest artificial substances
See the FAQs end of this post for a brief discussion on whether white and black are considered colors.
Rare white colors
White color meanings
White colors often represent purity, simplicity, and peace. In Western cultures, white is associated with weddings and new beginnings. In many Asian cultures, white is the color of mourning and funerals, symbolizing death and rebirth. In Middle Eastern cultures, white can represent purity and hospitality.
Rare shades of white
Here are some rare white color names to know:
- alabaster – white with a very pale yellow or pink tint
- albescent – shading into or becoming white
- albugineous – white, used to describe anatomical features, such as fibers or fluids (e.g. white of the eye)
- cornsilk – silky yellowish-white, describes the color of corn silk (the thread-like stuff that surrounds the corncob)
- eburnean – ivory white, from the Latin word meaning “resembling ivory”; the term can also be used to describe something as pure, pristine, or elegant
- magnolia – a creamy white with a hint of yellow or pink, named after the petals of the magnolia flower
- niveous – snowy or resembling snow, often used to describe a pure, untainted white
- porcelain – white, often used to describe delicate things or very pale skin
Rare gray colors
Gray color meanings
Gray colors usually convey neutrality, balance, and sophistication. In Western cultures, gray is seen as a neutral, professional color (did you ever see that episode of Futurama about the Neutrals?). In Japanese culture, gray can symbolize understated elegance and the natural world. In many cultures, gray represents ambiguity and the blending of extremes.
Rare shades of gray
Here are some rare gray color names to know:
- battleship – a medium gray with a bluish tint, often associated with naval ships
- cinereous – ash gray, sometimes gray-brown, from the Latin word for ashes
- drab – a dull, light brownish-gray, often used to describe uninteresting or dreary things
- feldgrau – grayish green, from the German word for “field green.” Feldgrau was the color of choice for German uniforms during WWI and WWII.
- gossamer – greyish-white, like a spider’s web
- greige – grayish-beige, a portmanteau of gray and beige
- isabelline – pale yellowish-gray, used to describe plumage, horse coats, and textiles used in fashion
- livid – a grayish-blue or grayish-purple, often used to describe the color of bruises or contusions
- pumice – a light, ashy gray, named after the volcanic rock
Is it gray or grey?
Either! Gray is more common in American English, while grey is more common in British English.
Metallic colors often suggest wealth, craftsmanship, and durability. Because metals are used in tools, jewelry, armor, and sacred objects, they frequently carry associations of power, prestige, and reverence. In more modern or futuristic settings, metallic hues can also imply technology, machinery, and sleek design.
Here are some metallic color names to know, including ones moved from earlier sections:
- acier – steel-gray or blue-gray, from the French word for steel
- argent – white or silver, used in heraldry (similar to “or”)
- aureate – gold, golden; from the Latin word for “golden”
- electrum – pale yellowish-gold, named after a natural alloy of gold and silver used in ancient coins
- gunmetal – medium gray, sometimes with a greenish undertone; named after the alloy used in firearms and machinery
- or – yellow or gold, used in heraldry
- orichalcum – a legendary metal described in Classical sources, often imagined as a warm, rich gold or bronze
- ormolu – rich gilded-gold color associated with decorative gilt bronze in furniture and clocks
- pewter – flat gray, named after a tin alloy
- pinchbeck – bright yellow-gold, named after a copper–zinc alloy once used as imitation gold in jewelry
- spelter – dull bluish-gray, named after a zinc-based alloy used in inexpensive cast metal objects
- zinc – a bluish-white, named after the metal zinc, often used in galvanizing
How to use the rare color names in this list
It’s worth noting that some of the rare colors listed here are more obscure than others.
Depending on your audience, some readers may find the words strange, confusing, outdated, or even pretentious!
If your readers aren’t receptive, the words in this list might annoy them more than intrigue them. Your writing might come across as pretentious or unnecessarily high-brow.
If that’s the case, choose carefully and use sparingly.
On the other hand, if your audience is the type to enjoy obscure words they’ve never heard of before, feel free to use rare colors in this list with abandon. Every audience is different.
Tips to familiarize readers with rare colors
If you’re concerned about being understood, you can help readers along by including the basic color term after the adjective.
For example, instead of writing just “saffron,” you can write “saffron yellow.” Instead of “sage,” you can write “sage green.” This way, even if they don’t know that saffron is an orange-yellow spice or that sage is a silver-green herb, they still know what basic color you’re talking about.
Once your audience has been introduced to these new colors, you can use the lesser-known terms more freely in your writing.
Good use of context can also help your readers become more receptive and less resistant to unfamiliar words. (See also the tip on “show, don’t tell” in my post on writing room descs.)
When to use the rare color words in this list
I recommend using the colors in this list whenever you want to spice up your writing. Especially if you spend much time describing areas, clothing, and other objects for a text-based RPG.
Writing the same words over and over can really reduce one’s enthusiasm and motivation for a project.
The same is true for readers and their reading material!
Readers’ eyes will gloss over if they read the words “azure sky” and “verdant grass” over and over. Tossing in some variety can help hold your readers’ attention – and yours!
Additional resources for writers and roleplayers
I hope you enjoyed this list of rare color terms! If you did, you may also like these other lists I created:
For color basics, such as the difference between a tint, shade, and tone, check out this Wikipedia page. You might also like the Color Meanings blog, which includes lots of articles about color, the meaning of color, and color ideas.
Thanks for reading, and until next time!
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