Which term denotes color that lacks hue or saturation?

• A. Achromatic
• B. Black
• C. Tint
• D. Chroma

Answer: (A)

Colors with no hue or saturation are described as achromatic. Hue is the property that names a color family (red, blue, yellow, etc.), while saturation is how pure or vivid that color appears. Achromatic colors lack colorfulness entirely, so they include white, gray, and black. They’re useful for creating contrast and balance without introducing color influence. A tint is still a hue with some white added, so it retains hue and saturation; chroma refers to the color’s purity or intensity, which implies a color with hue. Black is just one example of an achromatic color, but the term that denotes the whole category is achromatic.