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

The artwork was made with acrylic paint, watercolor and marker on canvas. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025

Take craft inspiration from social media, where people are sharing all their summer projects, ranging from embroidery and watercolor to DIY jewelry and bag charms. —Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2025

Inspired by Kansas sunsets and scenery, their offerings include their new watercolor paintings. —Ramal Nasim, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2025

Or take in the changing blooms of Hollister House Garden, the town’s American interpretation of a classic English garden complete with a fireworks show of blossoms that pop throughout the spring and summer, a historic Georgian-style home, and workshops in creating cyanotypes and watercolors. —Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025

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