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

His mother, Rhonda, was a fashion designer who sold watercolor drawings of her designs to clothing manufacturers throughout Manhattan. —Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2025

In 2023, a Turner watercolor sold for more than $1 million. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025

Desprez created a watercolor painting during that timeframe that depicts a feast taking place in the grotto. —Caitlin Palumbo, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

Her delicate yet vivid watercolors of marine life—tarpon, parrotfish, turtles, pelicans, herons—capture the essence of the Keys. —Charlene Fang, AFAR Media, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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