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Lightfast

adj.capable, resilientprofessional

What it means

Able to keep its color when exposed to light over time.

Reach for it when describing pigments or materials whose fade resistance has been established under relevant conditions

The conservator selected lightfast thread for the sunlit textile display.

Choose between these

6
  • playful

    nonfading

    simple product language claims color retention

    not when Nonfading sounds absolute; prefer the measured rating when one exists.

  • everyday

    durable

    the broad benefit is long useful life

    not when A durable material may remain strong while its color fades.

  • everyday

    fade-resistant

    ordinary exposure causes little loss of color

    not when Fade-resistant states a degree of protection and may be weaker than a tested lightfast rating.

  • professional

    archival

    materials are chosen for long-term preservation

    not when Archival quality includes acidity and durability and does not guarantee lightfast color.

  • professional

    colorfast

    dye remains stable against washing, rubbing, or exposure

    not when Colorfast covers several causes of color transfer or loss, not light specifically.

  • formal

    light-stable

    technical writing concerns change under illumination

    not when Light-stable may refer to chemical performance rather than visible color.

Said against

3
  • fugitive
  • fading
  • light-sensitive

It naturally appears in

3
  • lightfast pigment

    The muralist tested each lightfast pigment on the south wall.

  • highly lightfast

    Highly lightfast inks preserved the map's fine color coding.

  • lightfast color

    A lightfast color is essential for work displayed near the window.

Where this comes from

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.