Ivory vs. White: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Ivory is a creamy, off-white color, resembling the material from elephant tusks, while White is a pure, bright color without any hues.
Key Differences
Ivory is a subtle, creamy hue often compared to the color of elephant tusks, evoking a sense of warmth and softness. In contrast, White is a stark, bright color representing purity and cleanliness, often associated with a clinical or crisp aesthetic.
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In design and fashion, Ivory is preferred for its gentle warmth, making it ideal for creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere. White, on the other hand, is chosen for its ability to reflect light and create a sense of space and minimalism.
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When it comes to symbolism, Ivory often connotes luxury and status, derived from its association with the precious material. White symbolizes simplicity and peace, often used in contexts that require a sense of clarity and purity.
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In cultural contexts, Ivory can sometimes carry negative connotations due to its association with illegal ivory trade. White, however, is seen in various cultures as a color of mourning or celebration, depending on the context.
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Ivory, being closer to natural tones, is considered more forgiving and versatile in interior design compared to White, which can sometimes be too stark or overwhelming in large amounts.
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Comparison Chart
Fashion Preference
Soft, warm tones for elegance
Sharp, clean lines for modernity
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Cultural Context
Sometimes negative (ivory trade)
Varies (mourning or celebration)
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Ivory and White Definitions
Ivory
A color resembling ivory in hue, a warm off-white.
She chose an ivory dress for her wedding to complement the vintage theme.
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White
The color of pure snow or milk, the opposite of black.
The room was painted white to create a sense of spaciousness.
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Ivory
A hard, creamy-white substance composing the main part of the tusks of an elephant.
The antique piano had keys made of genuine ivory.
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White
The achromatic color of maximum lightness; the color of objects that reflect nearly all light of all visible wavelengths; the complement or antagonist of black, the other extreme of the neutral gray series. Although typically a response to maximum stimulation of the retina, the perception of white appears always to depend on contrast.
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Ivory
A hard, smooth, yellowish-white substance composed primarily of dentin that forms the tusks of the elephant.
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Ivory
A similar substance forming the tusks or teeth of certain other mammals, such as the walrus.
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White
Whites White pants or a white outfit of a special nature
Tennis whites.
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White
Any of various butterflies of the subfamily Pierinae, characteristically having chiefly white wings often with black markings.
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White
Also White A member of a racial group having light-colored skin, especially when of European origin and in some classifications also when of Middle Eastern or North African origin.
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Ivory
(uncountable) The hard white form of dentin which forms the tusks of elephants, walruses and other animals.
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White
Often whites Products of a white color, such as flour, salt, and sugar.
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White
White A member of a conservative or counterrevolutionary faction, especially one opposing the Bolsheviks in the Russian civil war.
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Ivory
The hard, white, opaque, fine-grained substance constituting the tusks of the elephant. It is a variety of dentine, characterized by the minuteness and close arrangement of the tubes, as also by their double flexure. It is used in manufacturing articles of ornament or utility.
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White
Light or whitish in color or having light or whitish parts. Used with animal and plant names.
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White
Also White Of or belonging to a racial group of people having light-colored skin, especially when of European origin, and in some classifications also when of Middle Eastern or North African origin
Voting patterns within the white population.
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Ivory
A hard smooth ivory colored dentine that makes up most of the tusks of elephants and walruses
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Ivory
Items made from or resembling ivory.
The museum showcased an exquisite collection of ivory carvings.
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Ivory
(Metaphorically) Something precious and rare.
Her grandmother's ivory necklace was her most cherished possession.
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Ivory
Relating to the ivory trade.
There are strict regulations against ivory trading to protect elephants.
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White
White Of or relating to a conservative or counterrevolutionary faction, especially one opposing the Bolsheviks in the Russian civil war.
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White
(Printing) To cover or make illegible with white coloring. Often used with out.
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White
Bright and colourless; reflecting equal quantities of all frequencies of visible light.
Write in black ink on white paper.
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White
(sometimes capitalized) Of or relating to Caucasians, people of European descent with light-coloured skin.
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White
Designated for use by Caucasians.
White drinking fountain
White hospital
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White
The standard denomination of the playing pieces of a board game deemed to belong to the white set, no matter what the actual colour.
The white pieces in this set are in fact made of light green glass.
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White
Pertaining to an ecclesiastical order whose adherents dress in white habits; Cistercian.
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White
(archaic) Characterized by freedom from that which disturbs, and the like; fortunate; happy; favourable.
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White
(politics) Pertaining to constitutional or anti-revolutionary political parties or movements.
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White
(typography) Said of a symbol or character outline, not solid, not filled with color. Compare said of a character or symbol filled with color.
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White
Characterised by the presence of snow.
A white Christmas
A white Easter
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White
The color/colour of snow or milk; the colour of light containing equal amounts of all visible wavelengths.
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White
(archery) The central part of the butt, which was formerly painted white; the centre of a mark at which a missile is shot.
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White
The enclosed part of a letter of the alphabet, especially when handwritten.
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White
A feather, from the wing of the cock ostrich, that is of the palest possible shade.
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White
Reflecting to the eye all the rays of the spectrum combined; not tinted with any of the proper colors or their mixtures; having the color of pure snow; snowy; - the opposite of black or dark; as, white paper; a white skin.
White as the whitest lily on a stream.
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White
Destitute of color, as in the cheeks, or of the tinge of blood color; pale; pallid; as, white with fear.
Or whispering with white lips, "The foe!They come! they come!"
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White
Having the color of purity; free from spot or blemish, or from guilt or pollution; innocent; pure.
White as thy fame, and as thy honor clear.
No whiter page than Addison's remains.
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White
Gray, as from age; having silvery hair; hoary.
Your high engendered battles 'gainst a headSo old and white as this.
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White
Characterized by freedom from that which disturbs, and the like; fortunate; happy; favorable.
On the whole, however, the dominie reckoned this as one of the white days of his life.
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White
Regarded with especial favor; favorite; darling.
Come forth, my white spouse.
I am his white boy, and will not be gullet.
Driving their cattle continually with them, and feeding only upon their milk and white meats.
A pistol charged with white powder.
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White
Something having the color of snow; something white, or nearly so; as, the white of the eye.
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White
Specifically, the central part of the butt in archery, which was formerly painted white; the center of a mark at which a missile is shot.
'T was I won the wager, though you hit the white.
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White
A person with a white skin; a member of the white, or Caucasian, races of men.
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White
Any one of numerous species of butterflies belonging to Pieris, and allied genera in which the color is usually white. See Cabbage butterfly, under Cabbage.
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White
To make white; to whiten; to whitewash; to bleach.
Whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of . . . uncleanness.
So as no fuller on earth can white them.
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White
The quality or state of the achromatic color of greatest lightness (bearing the least resemblance to black)
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White
United States educator who in 1865 (with Ezra Cornell) founded Cornell University and served as its first president (1832-1918)
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White
A tributary of the Mississippi River that flows southeastward through northern Arkansas and southern Missouri
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White
Being of the achromatic color of maximum lightness; having little or no hue owing to reflection of almost all incident light;
As white as fresh snow
A bride's white dress
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White
Of or belonging to a racial group having light skin coloration;
Voting patterns within the white population
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White
Free from moral blemish or impurity; unsullied;
In shining white armor
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White
Marked by the presence of snow;
A white Christmas
The white hills of a northern winter
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White
Restricted to whites only;
Under segregation there were even white restrooms and white drinking fountains
A lily-white movement which would expel Negroes from the organization
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White
Benevolent; without malicious intent;
White magic
A white lie
That's white of you
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White
Of a surface; not written or printed on;
Blank pages
Fill in the blank spaces
A clean page
Wide white margins
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White
Ash-colored or anemic looking from illness or emotion;
A face turned ashen
The invalid's blanched cheeks
Tried to speak with bloodless lips
A face livid with shock
Lips...livid with the hue of death
Lips white with terror
A face white with rage
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White
Of summer nights in northern latitudes where the sun barely sets;
White nights
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White
Something that is of the color white.
She wore a beautiful white dress to the gala.
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White
Characterized by the absence of color.
The artist used a white canvas as the foundation for his colorful painting.
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White
(Metaphorically) Representing purity or innocence.
The white dove is often seen as a symbol of peace.
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White
Relating to a group or race characterized by light skin.
The census data included information on the white population of the region.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is white often used in modern design?
Yes, white is popular in modern and minimalistic design schemes.
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What is the primary difference between ivory and white?
Ivory is a creamy off-white color, while white is a pure, bright color.
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Does the color ivory have negative connotations?
In some contexts, due to its association with the ivory trade, it can.
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Is white a neutral color?
Yes, white is considered a neutral color in design and fashion.
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Can ivory be considered a shade of white?
Yes, ivory is often seen as a warmer, softer shade of white.
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Is ivory a good choice for a wedding dress?
Yes, many choose ivory for its warm and elegant hue.
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Can ivory add warmth to a room's design?
Yes, its creamy hue can create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
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Is white easy to maintain in clothing and interiors?
It can be challenging as it shows dirt and stains more easily.
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Are there ethical concerns associated with ivory?
Yes, due to the illegal ivory trade and its impact on elephant populations.
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Can ivory and white be used interchangeably in fashion?
While similar, they create different aesthetic effects and are not always interchangeable.
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Does white symbolize purity in all cultures?
In many cultures, yes, but it can also symbolize mourning in some.
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Is white a common color in nature?
Yes, it's found in things like snow, milk, and certain flowers.
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Do ivory and white reflect light similarly?
White reflects more light, making spaces appear larger and brighter.
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Is white a popular choice for formal occasions?
Yes, especially in Western cultures for events like weddings.
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Is white considered a cold color in design?
It can be, especially if used in large amounts without warm accents.
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Do ivory and white have the same brightness?
No, white is brighter and more reflective than ivory.
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Can both ivory and white be used in all design styles?
They are versatile but may suit different styles better; ivory for traditional and white for modern.
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Does ivory work well with other colors?
Yes, it pairs well with many colors, especially earth tones.
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Is white a timeless color in fashion?
Yes, it is considered a classic and versatile color in fashion.
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Can ivory be synthetic?
Yes, there are synthetic materials made to resemble ivory.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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Hifza Nasir
