What does the term 'intensity' refer to in the context of color?

In the context of color theory, 'intensity' refers specifically to the saturation of a color, which is the purity or vividness of that color. A color with high intensity appears bright and vibrant, while a color with low intensity appears muted or dull. Intensity can also involve the strength of a color, indicating how much of the hue is present without being mixed with white or black.

The concept of saturation is central to understanding color intensity; it defines how strong or weak a color appears. Designers, artists, and color theorists often manipulate intensity to create depth, mood, and emphasis within their work.

Other options introduce different aspects of color: temperature relates to the warmness or coolness of a color, hue refers to the actual color family (like red, blue, or yellow), and opacity describes how transparent or opaque a color is. These factors contribute to the overall perception of a color, but they do not encapsulate the meaning of intensity.