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

Small canvases or watercolor paper and basic paints can be found at dollar stores, craft shops, or online for far less than the cost of a traditional dinner date. —Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026

The kids spent their days on the slopes, in watercolor or leather-making classes, horseback riding, feeding cattle on the farm, or in the game room. —Ronny Maye, Essence, 1 Feb. 2026

Stop in to admire the watercolors, acrylics, photography, and jewelry—among other mediums—and see if anything catches your eye. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026

The Artist Cottage is not to be skipped either, where creative activities like watercolors and pottery come paired with a glass of wine. —Asonta Benetti, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 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