watercolor
watercolor Lexical Profile
watercolor Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American A painting method in which the paints are made of pigments suspended in a water-based solution.
"She has been practicing watercolor for years, mastering the delicate balance of pigment and moisture."
American A painting produced using water-soluble pigments.
"The gallery featured a beautiful watercolor of the local coastline."
American The pigment or paint used in watercolor painting.
"Make sure to rinse your brushes thoroughly before dipping them into a different watercolor."
• verb
American To paint or color a picture, surface, or design using water-soluble pigments.
"She plans to watercolor the entire sketch before the afternoon light fades."
Word Nuance & Usage
"Watercolor" is the standard spelling in American English, whereas "watercolour" is preferred in British, Canadian, and Australian English.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the mid-16th century. Formed by combining "water" and "color" to distinguish this water-based medium from traditional oil paints.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.