watercolor

noun

wa·​ter·​col·​or ˈwȯ-tər-ˌkə-lər How to pronounce watercolor (audio)
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 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In her TikTok video, Campbell threw in a crossword book, camera, watercolor set, paper planner, and knitting supplies. Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Oct. 2025 But to my surprise, these watercolors have bucked the trend. Lauren Silbert, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025 But the pink watercolor version is on sale for Prime Day and would pair well with nude heels. Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025 In September, Polène unveiled a collaboration with Chinese glass artist Jinya Zhao, which took the shape of a geometric sculpture made of blown glass and leather off-cuts and created in two watercolor gradients of lavender and amber. Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for watercolor

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of watercolor was in 1596

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Watercolor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watercolor. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

watercolor

noun
wa·​ter·​col·​or ˈwȯt-ər-ˌkəl-ər How to pronounce watercolor (audio)
ˈwät-
1
: a paint whose liquid part is water
2
: a picture painted with watercolor
3
: the art of painting with watercolor
watercolorist noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!