What does yellowed mean?
Yellowed describes something that has changed from its original colour to yellow, usually because of age, sunlight, heat, or prolonged exposure. It is especially common for paper, pages, photographs, fabric, and teeth. The word can function as an adjective, as in “yellowed pages,” or as the simple past and past participle of the verb yellow, as in “the photographs yellowed over time.” Its connotations are generally neutral, though the adjective often suggests age, neglect, fragility, or the passage of time. Yellowed is useful because it identifies a particular visual change rather than merely describing the colour yellow. It can therefore distinguish an old or deteriorating object from one that was intentionally made yellow, while the verbal form can present the change itself as gradual, incidental, or natural.
Having become or turned yellow, especially through age, sunlight, heat, or deterioration.
"The novel contained yellowed pages and handwritten notes in the margins."
The adjective often conveys age or deterioration, but it can also describe an intentional change in colour.
To turn or become yellow, especially gradually through age or exposure to light.
"The white fabric yellowed after several summers in the sun."
This is the simple past and past participle of yellow; the subject agrees with the verb in the simple past.
Yellowed is time made visible: a faded page can preserve the passage of decades in a single shade.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
How yellowed is actually used
The form is common both as a participial adjective and as a verb describing a gradual change. As a verb, it normally takes an ordinary subject and simple past agreement, as in “the leaves yellowed.”
Easily confused with yellowed
“Yellowed” means that something has become yellow, whereas “yelled” means to emit a loud cry or shout.