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

Mixing and matching styles, abstract with figurative, oils with watercolors, sketches with photos, can create visual interest. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025

Bring your own artwork and supplies (acrylic, oil, or watercolor) to work with Alex and fellow artists. —Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025

Charbonneau shared a watercolor sketch of the arc to X last month. —Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 16 Oct. 2025

Advertisement Nicolas Leo Charbonneau, partner at architectural firm Harrison Design, shared a watercolor rendering of the arc in early September. —Callum Sutherland, Time, 16 Oct. 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