watercolor

noun

wa·​ter·​col·​or ˈwȯ-tər-ˌkə-lər 

ˈwä-

1

: a paint of which the liquid is a water dispersion of the binding material (such as glue, casein, or gum)

2

: the art or method of painting with watercolors

3

: a picture or design executed in watercolors

watercolor adjective

watercolorist

ˈwȯ-tər-ˌkə-lə-rist 

ˈwä-

noun

Examples of watercolor in a Sentence

a landscape done in watercolor

He only works in watercolors.

We bought a watercolor of the shore.

Recent Examples on the Web

And then actually looked at a friend of Jane’s who is a watercolor artist that works in circles and different shapes. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026

Classes will cover fine art materials with specific brands of watercolors, pens, and paints, as well as special techniques. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Aug. 2026

Imagine darling dahlias in moody chocolate hues, or rows of multicolor Florentine flowers; or creamy watercolor butterflies and florals. — Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2026

Bright colors during action sequences and conversations look vibrant, while backgrounds rendered in a more watercolor-style are properly subdued without seeming dull. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for watercolor

• multicolor
• technicolor
• unicolor
• versicolor
• bicolor
• concolor
• discolor
• tricolor
• color
• colour
• culler
• duller

Kids Definition

watercolor

noun

wa·​ter·​col·​or ˈwȯt-ər-ˌkəl-ər 

ˈwät-

1

: a paint whose liquid part is water

2

: a picture painted with watercolor

3

: the art of painting with watercolor

watercolorist

-ˌkəl-ə-rəst 

noun