coloring

noun

col·​or·​ing ˈkə-lə-riŋ How to pronounce coloring (audio)
1
a
: the act of applying colors
b
: something that produces color or color effects
c(1)
: the effect produced by applying or combining colors
(2)
: natural color
d
: change of appearance (as by adding color)
2
3
4

Example Sentences

Her favorite activities include playing with stuffed animals and coloring. Our product contains no artificial coloring or flavoring. She added some blue food coloring to the icing. This scarf will look great with your coloring. He has very light coloring.
Recent Examples on the Web Opt for Powdered Food Coloring Instead of Gel Be careful with food coloring. Brigitte Malivert, CNN, 11 Apr. 2023 Jones says some people may experience side effects when consuming the supplement, such as diarrhea, green-colored urine or stool and yellow or black coloring on the tongue. Erica Sweeney, Good Housekeeping, 25 Feb. 2023 Most red velvet cakes get some of their redness from food coloring, but not all. USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2023 Finally, raspberries are picked from the grounds of the Royal Estate in Windsor and infused into the liquid to provide both fruit flavor and color (no artificial coloring is used, according to the website). Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 21 Feb. 2023 Add the cream and food coloring and beat until combined. Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 Nov. 2022 The odd coloring could be from something getting into the water that makes its way down the exterior of the foundation. Mark Philben, BostonGlobe.com, 26 June 2022 Rather than sit around in kids clubs stocked with weathered coloring books, today’s tots want to namaste just like mommy—and top resorts are taking note. Leila Najafi, Robb Report, 9 May 2023 Features art activities; view films from the Speed Cinema; coloring page; Make Your Own Story, inspired by the exhibition Loose Nuts: Burt Hurley’s West End Story. The Courier-Journal, 3 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coloring.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of coloring was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near coloring

Cite this Entry

“Coloring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coloring. Accessed 6 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

coloring

noun
col·​or·​ing ˈkəl-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce coloring (audio)
1
: the act of applying colors
2
: something that produces color
food coloring
3
: the effect produced by applying or combining colors
4
5
: change of appearance (as by adding color)

More from Merriam-Webster on coloring

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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