We learn in school that the color we perceive is determined by the light that is reflected back at us. Not all wavelengths of light reflect back at our eyes, some wavelengths are absorbed.
I'm confused about this absorption. From my understanding, molecules can absorb light typically rotationally, vibrationally, and electronically. rotationally and vibrationally are associated with the microwave and infrared region. Electronic excitations can be in the visible, but I always had the impression that the excited electrons would collapse down to the ground state and emit light. Thus, I don't think I know any mechanism which visible light can be absorbed without emitting light, albeit, longer wavelength light typically.