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

Activities ranged from yoga classes and forest hikes with the resident goats to watercolor painting, s’mores bonfires, and artisanal honey tastings that perfectly captured the upstate vibe. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 7 Dec. 2024

Hedy Buzan, a printmaker and painter who works in pen and ink, acrylics and watercolor, is a 22-year Village resident who maintains a studio in bucolic Laguna Canyon. —Daniella Walsh, Orange County Register, 7 Dec. 2024

Mini Custom Watercolor Pet Portrait What’s sweeter than a whimsical watercolor painting of their best furry friend? —Esther Carlstone, SELF, 4 Dec. 2024

The Diptyque collection makes a strong first impression: Boxes painted in watercolor designs by artist Nigel Peake hint at what’s inside, as do the radiant glass vessels, engraved with designs mirroring Peake’s exterior illustrations. —Paige Stables, Allure, 25 Nov. 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