- Cyan and teal are both shades of blue-green.
- The difference is that cyan tends to be brighter and more blue, while teal is darker and contains more green.
🐬 The artist used a vibrant shade of cyan to depict the dolphin.
🌊 The artist mixed blue and green paint to achieve the perfect shade of teal for the ocean waves.
What's the difference between cyan and teal?
Cyan and teal are both shades of blue-green, but they have distinct differences:
Cyan - brighter and more blue
Cyan is a greenish-blue color that is more towards the blue end of the spectrum. It is a primary color in the subtractive color model (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black - CMYK) used in printing and color mixing. Cyan is often described as a bright, vibrant color similar to the hue of the sky on a clear day.
Teal - darker and more green
Teal, on the other hand, is a darker shade of blue-green that contains more green than cyan. It is often described as a medium to dark blue-green color with a hint of gray. Teal gets its name from the common teal bird, which has distinctive greenish-blue plumage. It's a popular color in fashion, interior design, and graphic design.
When to use cyan vs. teal
Use cyan to describe...
- Clear skies on a sunny day
- The color of some tropical fish, like the blue tang or parrotfish
- Blue highlighter pens
- Cyan ink used in printing or artwork
Use teal to descibe...
- Teal-colored gemstones or jewelry
- Teal-colored sea glass found on beaches
- Certain species of birds with teal plumage, like the teal duck
The use of "cyan" and "teal" over time
The Ngram graph below shows how often "cyan" and "teal" have been used from the 1800s to the 2000s. Overall, "teal" has been used more frequently, although "cyan" has increased to almost the same level of usage within the last 80 years.
How to pronounce "cyan" and "teal"
In American English, "cyan" is pronounced like "sai·an," with the stress on the first syllable. In British English, "cyan" is pronounced like "sai·an," with the stress on the second syllable.
In American and British English, "teal" is pronounced like "teel."
These are just the standard pronunciations, and there may be slight variations depending on regional accents and individual speech patterns.
Example sentences of "cyan"
- The cyan ink cartridge needs to be replaced in the printer.
- The ocean appeared a stunning shade of cyan under the bright sunlight.
- She painted her bedroom walls in a soothing shade of cyan to create a calming atmosphere.
- The logo for the company featured bold text in cyan against a white background.
- In the printing process, cyan is one of the primary colors used to create a wide range of hues.
- The scientist observed the chemical reaction as the solution turned from blue to cyan.
- The digital display showed a temperature reading in bright cyan digits.
- The photographer captured the breathtaking landscape with its cyan-colored lake reflecting the sky.
- The artist mixed cyan with magenta and yellow to create a wide spectrum of colors for the painting.
- The fashion designer incorporated pops of cyan into the clothing collection to add a modern and fresh look.
Example sentences of "teal"
- She decorated her living room in shades of teal and gray to create a modern and tranquil space.
- The bridesmaids wore elegant dresses in a rich teal hue that complemented the bride's gown.
- The office walls were painted a calming shade of teal to promote a productive work environment.
- The interior designer selected plush teal cushions to add a pop of color to the neutral sofa.
- The logo for the new restaurant featured a stylized fork and knife in bold teal against a white background.
- She wrapped herself in a cozy teal blanket while reading a book by the fireplace.
- The sky at dusk turned a beautiful shade of teal as the sun dipped below the horizon.
- The pottery class offered a variety of glazes, including teal, for students to experiment with.
- The fashion designer's latest collection showcased stunning evening gowns in shades of teal and silver.
- The birdwatcher spotted a majestic teal duck swimming gracefully across the lake.
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Other words related to "cyan" and "teal"
These words are often associated with colors in the blue-green spectrum or share similar hues to cyan and teal.
- Blue-green
- Aqua
- Turquoise
- Aquamarine
- Seafoam
- Viridian
- Peacock
- Azure
- Cerulean
- Cobalt
- Sapphire
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