watercolor

noun

wa·​ter·​col·​or ˈwȯ-tər-ˌkə-lər How to pronounce watercolor (audio)
ˈwä-
Synonyms of watercolornext
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 How to pronounce watercolor (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Actor Nakadai Tatsuya provides the Devil’s voice, while the camera drifts across static watercolor paintings under Fukai Kuni’s art direction. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 Their ever-changing gallery artists include oil, watercolor, photography, mixed media, digital art, wall-hangings, textiles, gourds, wood-turning, pottery, jewelry, glasswork, etc. — News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026 Kusama tracked down the American artist’s address and sent her a letter, along with several of her watercolors, asking for advice. — Tessa Solomon For Artnews, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026 Issa would bring a picnic and sketchbooks and miniature watercolor palettes to meet up with a stranger, for instance. — Emily Gould, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for watercolor

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of watercolor was in 1596

Rhymes for watercolor

See All Rhymes for watercolor

Browse Nearby Words

water colly
watercolor
watercolored
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Watercolor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watercolor. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

watercolor

noun
wa·​ter·​col·​or ˈwȯt-ər-ˌkəl-ər How to pronounce watercolor (audio)
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 How to pronounce watercolor (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on watercolor

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for watercolor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about watercolor

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