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

Ruscha starter kit dimensions variable edition 2 of 2 The work begins with the 10 watercolors the owner purchased. —Jeff Gibson, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2024

Thierry Colson Albertine printed pajama set $528 NET-A-PORTER The watercolor motifs on this cotton and silk-blend set were done by artist Sacha Floch Poliakoff. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2024

That, and a watercolor painting of Pie, the horse Stewart rode in many of his movies. —Jack Smart, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024

Everything from cheeky sayings to watercolor florals, nature scenes, and abstracts can be had for as little as $20, so your gallery wall is limitless. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 28 Oct. 2024

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