Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

high-yellow

Adjective
/haɪ ˈjɛloʊ/
Definition
A term used to describe a person of mixed racial heritage, particularly someone with light skin tone, often of African American descent.
Examples
  • She described herself as high-yellow, acknowledging her lighter skin tone in a predominantly darker-skinned community.
  • The artist often explored themes of identity and race in her work, drawing from her own experiences as a high-yellow woman.
Meaning
The phrase ‘high-yellow’ often refers to an individual who has a lighter complexion, signifying a mix of racial backgrounds, and it can sometimes carry cultural or historical connotations.
Synonyms
  • Light-skinned
  • Mixed-race
  • Pale