coloring

noun

col·​or·​ing ˈkə-lə-riŋ 

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

(3)

: complexion, coloration

d

: change of appearance (as by adding color)

2

: influence, bias

3

: color sense 8

4

: timbre, quality

Synonyms

• color
• colorant
• dye
• dyestuff
• pigment
• stain

Examples of coloring in a Sentence

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

Others have a darker brown-black coloring with blotchy pinkish stomachs. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025

Examine the keypad before use for any inconsistencies in coloring, material, or shape. —Harrison Jones, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025

Download our Chiefs coloring page featuring wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. —Neil Nakahodo, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2025

And not some Hollywood concoction of corn syrup mixed with food coloring but, rather, a functional substitute for the ten or more pints of red stuff that circulate around our bodies at something like two miles an hour. —Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing coloring

• coloring book

Kids Definition

coloring

noun

col·​or·​ing ˈkəl-(ə-)riŋ 

1

: the act of applying colors

2

: something that produces color

food coloring

3

: the effect produced by applying or combining colors

4

: complexion sense 1, coloration

5

: change of appearance (as by adding color)