color wheel


noun

Origin of color wheel

First recorded in 1890–95

Definition for color wheel (2 of 2)

complementary color

noun

Art.
  1. one of a pair of primary or secondary colors opposed to the other member of the pair on a schematic chart or scale (color wheel), as green opposed to red, orange opposed to blue, or violet opposed to yellow.Compare analogous color.
  2. the relationship of these pairs of colors perceived as completing or enhancing each other.

Origin of complementary color

First recorded in 1820–30

Scientific definitions for color wheel

complementary color

A secondary color that, when combined with the primary color whose wavelength it does not contain, produces white light. Thus yellow, which is produced by mixing the primary colors red and green, is the complementary color of blue. See Note at color.